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ARTICLE · 18 SEPTEMBER 2019

Rugby World Cup: advances in rugby balls

Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
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In depth discussion about rugby balls & how they are made to improve handling and aerodynamics.

AustraliaStrategy
Frazer McLennan
Frazer McLennan
Charles Tansey
Charles Tansey
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It's time to talk of mice and McCaw. While that Richie won't be playing in 2019 edition of the Rugby World Cup soon to be held in Japan, it is time to wonder which ball the new Richie (Mo'unga) will be kicking off with in the final on November 2.

This will be the seventh rugby world cup for which Gilbert have supplied the official match ball, and they continue to make changes to improve handling and aerodynamics. Gilbert have been producing footballs since 1823, and it is said that the ball picked up by William Webb Ellis all those years ago was a Gilbert.

While Adidas have sought to improve their world cup soccer balls by reducing the number of seams, getting down now to a six-piece ball, rugby balls have been settled in their four-piece configuration for many decades. It's even defined as such within the Laws of Rugby.

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