New Adidas Heineken Cup rugby balls

ScrubsfanChris

Adidas are the new kit sponsor for the ERC. Including balls, equipment and referee kits for both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup.

What do you think of the new balls, cause I am deff getting one

Eireannach

Nice, looking forward to picking one up.

Also looking forward to the Cup back in Munster hands.

chupacabra

They look like the cheap €5 rugby balls you see in a large bin in your local toy shop.:rolleyes:

B0X

chupacabra wrote: »

They look like the cheap €5 rugby balls you see in a large bin in your local toy shop.:rolleyes:

I gotta get to my local toyshop more often so.

Depp

may get me one of those

Robbo

The balls are called "Torpedo Respect"? Isn't that how Chelsea approached a certain FA ref-cuddling initiative?

OldJay

chupacabra wrote: »

They look like the cheap €5 rugby balls you see in a large bin in your local toy shop.:rolleyes:

They're the design that the NZRFU uses for internationals.

profitius

Justind wrote: »

They're the design that the NZRFU uses for internationals.

Are those the controversial balls that foreign teams hate using?

chupacabra

Justind wrote: »

They're the design that the NZRFU uses for internationals.

They still look like the cheap €5 rugby balls you see in a large bin in your local toy shop.

OldJay

chupacabra wrote: »

They still look like the cheap €5 rugby balls you see in a large bin in your local toy shop.

Doesn't really matter what they look like though. The actual balls used in competition are around €60 a pop too.

uberwolf

profitius wrote: »

Are those the controversial balls that foreign teams hate using?

Do you mean the mitre ones that the Italian RFU use?

chupacabra

Justind wrote: »

Doesn't really matter what they look like though. The actual balls used in competition are around €60 a pop too.

Yeah, in competition it doesn't matter what they look like. But to fans and people who actually buy these things it does matter. I think i'll stick to my Gilbert Revolution-X balls.

potsy11

As Ireland are now sponsored by Puma we now have to use these balls at international level.

Also AIB AIL League have to use them. I good bit different than the Gilbert.

I wonder if this will effect the likes of ROG and Co. I know ROG is very particular about his balls.

OldJay

potsy11 wrote: »

As Ireland are now sponsored by Puma we now have to use these balls at international level.

Also AIB AIL League have to use them. I good bit different than the Gilbert.

The international team and 'A' will use Gilbert balls.
Everybody else will use Puma.

andrewdcs

Justind wrote: »

The international team and 'A' will use Gilbert balls.
Everybody else will use Puma.

Can never understand why the IRB havn't "spec'd" a ball to be used in all competitions. A certain size + shape that has to be conformed to. Whoever the sponsor/manufacturer is doesn't matter.

Remember back in the day France having a dramatically different ball to everyone else, it was a farce. I all for technology improving the grip, weight etc. but at least have some consistency between unions.

OldJay

andrewdcs wrote: »

Can never understand why the IRB havn't "spec'd" a ball to be used in all competitions. A certain size + shape that has to be conformed to. Whoever the sponsor/manufacturer is doesn't matter

Sponsorship actually does matter. Provided a ball reaches the desired dimensions and weight that is approved by IRB, this will be the case.

Eoin

uberwolf wrote: »

Do you mean the mitre ones that the Italian RFU use?

I'm pretty sure a lot of teams have had problems with the adidas one that NZ use as well. Weren't they the yellow ones?

andrewdcs wrote: »

Can never understand why the IRB havn't "spec'd" a ball to be used in all competitions. A certain size + shape that has to be conformed to. Whoever the sponsor/manufacturer is doesn't matter.

How do you mean? They do have guidelines here.

andrewdcs

eoin wrote: »

How do you mean? They do have guidelines here.

Ah, there we go. Thanks.
They have a range of sizes, which makes a big difference to kickers, how the ball bounces etc. They should tighten them to a place where it doesnt matter whether the tournament ball is Gilbert, Addidas, Puma etc.

Length in line 280 - 300 millimetres
Circumference (end to end) 740 - 770 millimetres
Circumference (in width) 580 - 620 millimetres

Eoin

andrewdcs wrote: »

Ah, there we go. Thanks.
They have a range of sizes, which makes a big difference to kickers, how the ball bounces etc. They should tighten them to a place where it doesnt matter whether the tournament ball is Gilbert, Addidas, Puma etc.

Length in line 280 - 300 millimetres
Circumference (end to end) 740 - 770 millimetres
Circumference (in width) 580 - 620 millimetres

But I think they'd need to cater for the grip, the width of the ball throughout the entire length of the ball, the exact weight and so on. Could be a logistical pain in the bum.

Justind wrote:

The international team and 'A' will use Gilbert balls.
Everybody else will use Puma.

How do you mean everyone else? As in everyone?

FridaysWell

eoin wrote: »

How do you mean everyone else? As in everyone?

Probably means Underage Rep (U21s), Ireland club teams etc. As someone said before the AIB league are using Puma balls.

The weight on the ball is real important, I've played with one of these Adidas match balls a few times. They feel kinda cheap and the grip is not great. Ok for kicking, although the weight on the ball doesn't feel very balanced. What I mean is well the Gilbert balls, Revolution X and the Synergie balls, they are really high quality, and the weight and construction of the balls is perfect. Aint the same with the Adidas.

I'm no professional so I dunno how'd they find it. Adidas probably did a bitta research and improved the balls.