The truth about the World Cup ball

There has been a lot of speculation about the ball being used in the World Cup, especially as a few kickers have been spraying them around. But here is the story from Gilbert the manufacturers which shows the ball has been used for almost one year, so don’t blame the ball!!
http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/the-truth-about-the-world-cup-ball/

good post. thanks for the link

i didnt think there was anything wrong with the ball but there have been some truely horrible misses so far

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EAWdb7ALGE

In fairness to Patterson, the ball fell off the tee just as he went to kick it, so it's not a surprise he missed that one.

Wilkinson's first miss was very poor by his standards, and it was interesting / disappointing that his misses were off to both sides so his technique on the day was just way off.

Yeah, I read this yesterday. I don't think any players have been blaming the ball. Fans on the other hand...

I cannot find anything anywhere that states these ACTUAL balls used for the matches have been used and kicked in.

All I can see is PR Spin.

The same happened in 2007 and it wasn't until the final that the kickers in both teams were allowed to use the actual match balls in their warm ups.

Wilkinson may be human, but even a good club level kicker doesn't miss that many in still conditions and playing with a roof...

Wilkinson and Sexton have both come out denying any fauly with the ball.

ly-half Wilkinson said: "When I hit them [the penalties] I felt I was hitting them very, very well."

wilkinson... thinks he's making good contact, y'know the guy who's record of consistency at kicking for goal is on par with Patterson's.

it wasn't the wind and it isn't height/air pressure and he balls are perfectly new and 'tested' but the only thing they haven't been is .... played with and kicked.

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”

If it was just Wilco then it would just be him, but it ain't, so its not

heres another quote

Tindall said. "There were a couple of times he said he didn't want to go for it and we went for the corner. You've always got to trust your kicker, especially when it's Jonny Wilkinson.

"He said he just couldn't get the control on the ball. He said he was hitting it well, but couldn't control it."


It will be interesting to see if it improves as the tournament goes on with 1000 balls being used I doubt the same ones will be retained and all match balls will be virgin

Re: Thoughts after round 1
by RubyGuby Yesterday at 9:11

.Main thoughts for me concern the fact that all these top class kickers are having problems - This has potentially affected a number of outcomes and it would be a shame if it somehow scarred the tournament. I appreciate its the same for everyone but in essence it may become a leveller to some extent. As a point of information I have noticed that Hook, Wilko and others really give the ball a thump whereas Steyn tends to stroke and glide the ball over. I think this minimises any deviation at impact which appears to be exacerbated with these balls. I think Steyn was 100% v Wales. Anyways its all there and its been worth the 4 year wait already .

red_stag wrote:Wilkinson and Sexton have both come out

I knew it!

tommo got there first !