What is the Best Rugby Ball in the World?
The single most instrumental piece of equipment on a rugby field is the rugby ball. The heart of the game. Rugby athletes rely on quality, precision and performance of the ball in their hands; from training rugby balls to match rugby balls.
We take a look at what aspects can make a rugby ball the ultimate piece of equipment and the best in the world.
The Best Rugby Ball Grip
Ask any professional rugby player for the single most important aspect of a rugby ball, and overwhelmingly the answer will be the same; grip.
You can’t engineer the best rugby ball in the world without having grip that works. So how do you create the best grip in the world? Hundreds of hours of research and testing to find the best configuration.
Grip is affected by the type of rubber construct. Natural rubber means you have more grip, synthetic rubber equals greater durability.
Match balls have a higher ratio of natural rubber to synthetic rubber to provide better grip. Training balls have more synthetic rubber to provide a more durable surface compound.
With perfect grip, you are one step closer to the perfect pass, but of course you also need technique. Take a look at Conor Murray’s passing masterclass below to help your game.
Perfect Balance
The air valve plays a key part in how the ball performs as well as using it to inflate the bladder. The valve is a weight that creates an imbalance of the ball. Correct placement of the valve is ensures a high quality match ball. The rotation of the ball is improved increasing accuracy and distance of passing, kicking and spin of the ball. In lower quality training balls the valve can reduce the accuracy and distance when compared to a match ball as the imbalance can offset spin, meaning lower precision.
Match balls will have the valve placed in the seam of the ball as this helps distribute the weight to most effectively and improve rotation.
Air Retention
Latex bladders have high resilience and good rebound characteristics. The downside is lower air retention. Advanced polymer bladders, which have equivalent resilience characteristics to natural latex, are non-permeable to air, and have the ability to remain inflated for much longer period.
Natural Latex: Soft, good bounce, releases air slowly.
Butyl Bladders: Excellent combination of feel and air retention, typically in mid-range to elite balls.
Synthetic Technology: A polymer bladder that retains the qualities of natural latex without losing air. This material is used in higher quality balls.
Social Responsibility
Look, it’s all well and good creating the best rugby balls on the planet, but if our game doesn’t grow, what’s the point? W RUGBY balls are born to look after grassroots rugby clubs, schools and communities worldwide.
With help from our Project: Won for Won™, for every ball that you purchase, we match that and give another into clubs that need it most; #WonForWon
We believe rugby is for all. Women, Juniors and Men. Help grow this game of ours and become a Grassroots Superhero!
Meet the rugby ball with extraordinary grip and perfect balance in-flight.
When you buy this ball, we’ll match it and give another one to grassroots. You can even choose a club close to your heart at checkout. Let’s grow grassroots rugby together!