In rugby, a hooker is a position in the forward pack of a rugby union team. The hooker is one of the three players in the front row, along with the loosehead prop and the tighthead prop. The hookers main role is to coordinate the timing of the scrum, gain possession in the scrum, and throw the ball into play at the lineout. During open play, the hooker acts like the props and is responsible for securing possession of the ball in rucks and mauls. The hooker is also expected to hit rocks and mauls the same way that props do.

In rugby league, the hooker is one of the positions in a rugby league football team). The hooker usually wears jersey or shirt number 9 and is one of the teams forwards). During scrums, the hooker plays in the front row and has much responsibility in deciding what to do with the ball, whether to pass it, run with it, or occasionally to kick it).

In summary, a hooker in rugby is a position in the forward pack of a rugby union team, responsible for coordinating the timing of the scrum, gaining possession in the scrum, and throwing the ball into play at the lineout. In rugby league, the hooker is one of the positions in a rugby league football team, responsible for deciding what to do with the ball during scrums.