The Best Rugby Ball 2024
We dive into the world of rugby balls and tell you what makes a rugby ball ‘the best’.
What is the Best Rugby Ball in the Market?
Before we just cram products down your throat, we need to know which rugby ball you need and which ball suits you best as a player, a coach or a team.
The heart of the game is the rugby ball, and rugby players rely on the quality and precision of each element of the ball, from training balls to match balls, each ball must perform to the best ability.
W RUGBY balls cater to every level of player, from grassroots to elite, and we have engineered a rugby ball to ensure perfect performance with every pass and kick.
So let’s take a look at which ball suits you best…
What’s the difference between a training and a match rugby ball?
In a nutshell:
Training balls need to be tough, resilient and last a whole season. They need to be cost effective as clubs use lots of balls for skills, drills and training sessions.
Match balls need to perform incredibly well when it matters. Grip and accuracy are what players need.
W RUGBY coreplay academy rugby balls are developed with resilience in mind to withstand the rigours of intense training sessions throughout the season. Engineered with a higher percentage of synthetic rubber rather than natural rubber which makes them a more robust ball, but also reduces the natural grip properties.
W RUGBY eliteflight™ match rugby balls are designed for high performance. W RUGBY match balls use premium natural rubber which enhances grip, essential for match play. W RUGBY balls have lots of features to deliver ultimate performance of the ball and the player, for example, an in-seam valve to deliver true ball flight and spin.
The W RUGBY Ball Range
Check out the best rugby ball for you. Change the game.
Rugby Ball Predictability
One core element of the rugby ball is predictability, just ask Jonny Wilkinson. Knowing what the ball is going to do as soon as it leaves your hands or feet is crucial for rugby matches. Our academy balls and match balls are constructed similarly, so that the player doesn’t have to get used to different ball characteristics as they step from the training field to the pitch on match days.
Characteristics of the Best Rugby Balls
We asked international rugby athletes what’s the most important aspect of a rugby ball, and along with research from the University of Sheffield and the University of Calgary, we engineered features to ensure optimal performance of the rugby ball for every player.
No stone is left unturned, collaborating with Sport Science and Engineering, we place heavy research into our ball designs, from player movement and cognitive functions of an elite athlete, to ball aerodynamics, flight and air resistance to create the best rugby ball on the market.
For a rugby ball to be the best, you need to ensure it has the following functions:
Incredible grip
True, predictable flight
Long-lasting air retention
Eye-catching and contrasting design
All these features form part of W RUGBY balls, so go check them out for yourself!
Pre-Order Now: Delivery February 2025
Precision. Power. Performance. The all-new W RUGBY eliteflight™ series 3 match ball is engineered to redefine excellence on the pitch. Designed for both men’s and women’s rugby, this ball is built to meet the demands of the modern game—where every pass, kick, and try counts.