Geez – that brings back memories.
The terminology goes back to the early days of rugby when they used a few players behind the guys in front trying to force the ball up the field together. Since they were behind their team mates they were called backs. One guy returned the ball to the moving scrimmage of players if it came out and another kicked at goal. They were not far back from the scrum of players and were called half backs. The fellow who fielded the ball from kicks from the other side was further behind and called a full back.
When it was more common to run with the ball, more backs played outside the scrum of forwards. The players between the two halves and the full back were called three-quarters (being the average of half and full). One three-quarter played wide close to one touch line and another close to the other one. These backs on the wings were called wing three-quarters but became known as wings or wingers later on. The three-quarter playing closer to the middle of the ground was the centre three-quarter.
Terminlogy differed from country to country. In NZ they called the two players between the single half back and centre three-quarter, five eighths – 1st 5/8ths and 2nd 5/8ths, since 5/8ths is the average of ½ and ¾. Further out from them was the centre three-quarter which in recent decades has been shortened to “centre”. To Kiwis “centre” is always the player in the 13 jersey and not to be confused with the 2nd 5/8 wearing the 12 jersey.
That's a long story of explaining that the three quarter line is the 11, 13 and 14. It's interesting that Dwyer, who is younger than I am used that old terminology, whereas I never do. Maybe it's more of a British thing and Bob has spent a lot of time in Britain.
Even in fairly recent times one would hear the late Bill McLaren, a Scot, saying so and so was the centre three-quarter. At other times you'd hear him say a team had scored a four goals and a try and won 23-0.
But that's another long story.
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