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A rugby ball is an elongated ball used in both codes of rugby football. Its measurements and weight are specified by World Rugby and the Rugby League International Federation, the governing bodies for both codes, rugby union and rugby league respectively.
The rugby ball has an oval shape, four panels and a weight of about 400 grams. It is often confused with some balls of similar dimensions used in American, Canadian and Australian football.
Around 1862, Richard Lindon was desperate to find a replacement for the pig’s bladder and used an India rubber bladder, instead. India rubber was too tough to inflate by mouth, so, having been inspired by air syringes, he created a large, brass air pump to inflate his rugby balls. The history of the rugby ball by Paul Wassell, 15 Oct 2016 Lindon also claimed to invent the rugby ball and its distinctive oval shape but didn't patent his design for either the ball, the bladder or the pump. By the 1880s there were several manufacturers of 'footballs' in England, all using the same process.
The size and shape of the ball was not written into the rules until 1892, when it was determined as follows:
In 1892 the RFU endorsed ovalness as the compulsory shape. The gradual flattening of the ball continued over the years. Blood, mud and aftershave in The Observer Sunday February 5, 2006, Section B is for Ball by Oliver Price
The introduction of synthetic footballs over the traditional leather balls, in both rugby codes, was originally governed by weather conditions. If the playing surface was wet, the synthetic ball was used, as it didn't absorb water and become heavy. Eventually, the leather balls were phased out completely. Polyester is used as backing material to hold the ball's oval shape, along with additional material for grips to enhance performance. The ball is stitched with polyester thread and coated with wax to make it more water-resistant. What are rugby balls made of? by Craig Berman on Sports Rec, 4 Sep 2009
In 1980, traditional leather-encased balls, which were prone to water-logging, were replaced with balls encased in synthetic waterproof materials. The Gilbert Synergie was the match ball of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Most of the professional leagues use Adidas, Gilbert, Mitre or Webb Ellis manufactured balls.
Both the Australian National Rugby League and the English Super League use balls made by Steeden. Steeden is also sometimes used as a noun to describe the ball itself.
- Length 11 to 11 1/4 inches
- Circumference (end on) 30 to 31 inches
- Circumference (in width) 25 1/2 to 26 inches
- Weight: 12 to 13 ounces
- Hand sewn with not fewer than 8 stitches to the inch
Rugby union
The rugby ball used in rugby union is a prolate spheroid essentially ellipse in profile. Modern footballs are manufactured in a variety of colors and patterns. A regulation football is long and in circumference at its widest point. It weighs and is inflated to .
Rugby league
Rugby league is played with a prolate spheroid shaped football which is inflated with air. A referee will stop play immediately if the ball does not meet the requirements of size and shape. Traditionally made of brown leather, modern footballs are synthetic and manufactured in a variety of colours and patterns. Senior competitions should use light-coloured balls to allow spectators to see the ball more easily. The football used in rugby league is known as "international size" or "size 5" and is approximately long and in circumference at its widest point. Smaller-sized balls are used for junior versions of the game, such as "Mini" and "Mod league". A full size ball weighs between . Rugby league footballs are slightly more pointed than rugby union footballs and larger than American footballs.
See also
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