Rugby Ball.

barry181091

Hey,

I recently bought a Gilbert official rugby ball, about 3 months ago. Now I dont know much about these balls, but are they supposed to lose air over time ? I know soccer balls dont lose air this fast. Is it just my ball or do rugby balls have to be re pumped every month or so ? The ball cost me 120 so it'd better not be defective.

Thanks,
Barry.

High&Low

Any rugby ball I have ever has lost air over a period of time, just buy a pump and it should be fine. If it loses air within a couple of days you might have a problem, but if its over a period of a few weeks/months I wouldn't be concerned

Steffano2002

Yeah, rugby balls are useless at keeping the air in! We had to pump them up every week at training! :rolleyes:

death1234567

Same here, they lost air really fast compared to a soccer ball.

ekevosu

120 seems an incredible amount to be spending on a rugby ball?

LeeroyJones

120 seems an incredible amount to be spending on a rugby ball?

official match ball it must be as opposed to a replica

ekevosu

I had to google there to find out the exact difference between the two types in terms of performance that would warrant the price difference but I suppose for the high level rugby player and especially kickers, hookers its probably worth an investment.

Match balls are firmer and have better grip than practice balls. They have better symetry and shape which ensures improved flight characteristics. They are great for use in games or in high level training.

Practice balls are highly durable balls, designed to last on all types of fields. Practice balls are slightly softer when fully inflated than match balls which makes them easier to catch repeatedly. They have the best air retention.

conman78

Practice balls being softer making them easier to catch. Must have been some idiot who put that on google. Its the grip on a ball that matters most not the air pressure. They obviously had a severe case of butter fingers and were looking for a lame excuse!!

No point buying a match ball unless as said earlier you're a kicker or hooker and looking to do extra practice. Practice kicking with practice balls can be (pardon the pun) hit and miss at the best of times.

Match balls flight don't deviate as much as practice balls when kicked. Also, ask any scrum half that they pass better too even when wet and mucky. I know in my club I would always have to check the match balls were pumped properly before a game as I didn't want to ebd up kicking a half flat ball or a practice ball. They always needed a little boost of air every 2 weeks or so.

il gatto

In a match ball, the valve is in the seam. In the replica ball, the valve is placed in the center of one of the panels. Apparently the valve placement in the match ball makes for a stable flight compared to the replicas. Mainly of interest to place kickers, fly halves and hookers, but I suppose at the top level it makes some small difference in passing too.
I wouldn't say there's anything unusual about losing air over a month or so. It's not hard to get a ball pump or bicycle pump and a valve and do it as needed. The valve is only a rubber sphincter (for want of a better discription) and leaks a tiny bit when kicked or crushed, and probably even a bit just sitting around.The recent spell of cold weather would also make the air contract a bit too, possibly contributing to the problem. Actually, I've wasted too much time on this thread