Rugby ball facts for kids

A rugby ball is a special oval-shaped ball used in the sport of rugby football. Its size and weight are set by the main organizations that run rugby: World Rugby for rugby union and the Rugby League International Federation for rugby league.

Rugby balls usually have an oval shape, four panels, and weigh about 400 grams. People sometimes confuse them with balls used in other sports like American football, Canadian football, or Australian Rules Football, because they look a bit similar.

What is a Rugby Union Ball Like?

A Gilbert rugby ball used in rugby union

The ball used in rugby union is shaped like a stretched-out circle, which is called a prolate spheroid. It looks like an ellipse from the side. Today, you can find rugby balls in many different colors and designs.

A standard rugby union ball is about 28 to 30 centimeters (11 to 12 inches) long. Around its widest part, it measures about 58 to 62 centimeters (23 to 24 inches). It weighs between 410 and 460 grams (14.5 to 16.2 ounces). The ball is filled with air to a pressure of about 65.7 to 68.8 kilopascals (9.5 to 10.0 pounds per square inch).

Before 1980, rugby balls were made of leather. These leather balls would get very heavy when they got wet from rain. But in 1980, new balls made from waterproof synthetic (man-made) materials were introduced. This made the game better because the ball stayed light even in wet weather. For example, the Gilbert Synergie was the official ball for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Many professional rugby leagues use balls made by well-known sports companies like Adidas, Gilbert, Mitre, or Webb Ellis.

What is a Rugby League Ball Like?

A Steeden rugby ball used in rugby league

Rugby league also uses a prolate spheroid-shaped ball. These balls are filled with nitrogen gas. If a ball doesn't meet the correct size and shape during a game, the referee will stop play right away.

In the past, rugby league balls were traditionally made of brown leather. Now, they are made from synthetic materials and come in many different colors and patterns. For big games, light-colored balls are often used so that fans can see the ball more easily.

The standard ball for adult rugby league games is called "international size" or "size 5." It is about 27 centimeters (11 inches) long and about 60 centimeters (24 inches) around its widest part. Smaller balls are used for younger players, like in "Mini" and "Mod" versions of the game. A full-size rugby league ball weighs between 383 and 440 grams (13.5 and 15.5 ounces). Rugby league balls are a little more pointed than rugby union balls and are larger than American footballs.

Both the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and the Super League in Europe use balls made by a company called Steeden. Sometimes, people even use the word "Steeden" to mean the ball itself, because the brand is so popular.

Images for kids

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  Richard Lindon in 1880, with two four-panel rugby balls

See also

In Spanish: Balón de rugby para niños