Ball change for 2011 RWC ?

[Happy]

Consider this rule...

2.3 MATERIALS
Leather or suitable synthetic material. It may be treated to make it water resistant and easier to grip.

I was informed after saturday's game that the IRB has changed the ball for this years season of rugby and the world cup. But I can't find anything on the interwebz

I was also informed that NZ has raised concerns about the seemly reduced ability of players to handle / grip this new ball.

Considering our first game against the reds and last saurdays game - I don't recall so many knock-on's and dropped passes in a long long time. Especially in reasonably good rugby playing conditions.

Yes Suncorp was hot and humid so the ball may have been getting a bit sweaty, but surely not to that extent, but saturday's gamne .. both sides when ever they touched the ball the spilled it .. well... LOTS!!

If the ball has been changed, if the rumours of N.ZZ Rugby is true, doesn't this ball change go against the rule 2.3 ??

Comments ?

[Burgs]

Noticed it being asked from the booth to the sideline commentator in a few matches now too. Surely the way to go would be to make such changes post RWC?
Bring back the leather!

[Chili 4auce]

no...from what youve provided the rule states it "MAY" be treated to make it easier to handle, it doesnt say it "MUST" be treated.

[Happy]

no...from what youve provided the rule states it "MAY" be treated to make it easier to handle, it doesnt say it "MUST" be treated.

you would manufacture a ball to make it harder to handle ??

I understand what the word MAY means but my question is why would you use a ball that wasn't ?

[Chili 4auce]

you would manufacture a ball to make it harder to handle ??

I understand what the word MAY means but my question is why would you use a ball that wasn't ?

Good question, perhaps the new ball has better passing / kicking dynamics at the cost of handling but the reason could come down to $$$$, cheaper to produce? last longer?

Being the highly paid professionals they are, Im sure the players will adapt otherwise it could be a long season of handling errors.

[palitu]

this reminds me of the soccer world cup and changing balls...

[normie]

What a load of bollocks!

[AndyS]

Didn't they have a look at the adidas "lemon" in the early 2000's? Let's just hope that they do plenty of in-service testing before doing anything stupid.