DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 153909--------------------------------------------------
WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: DOK
Date: May 8, 2026, 9:55 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Red Roses fly half Zoe Harrison slams trial of smaller ball in
women’s game: ‘Worst decision ever’
HTML https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/zoe-harrison-red-roses-england-smaller-ball-womens-rugby-wxv-b2971257.html
#Post#: 153912--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: May 8, 2026, 12:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Very strange, Brian Moore was going on about a smaller ball 2 or
3 years ago, to improve place kicking, what we have arrived at
is a size 4.5+ ball, which is 3% smaller than the 5 and weights
the same.
It has already been trialed in 7's, what they are not saying is
if the balll they are going to use in WVX is the same as the 7's
ball.
Only one maker at present, and if they adopt it, another expense
for small clubs.
#Post#: 153973--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: May 10, 2026, 10:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Another expense? They still use rugby balls. They don't just
borrow the blokes' balls.
Zoe has always used a size 5 so potential improvements in the
women's game over the next few years don't matter?
#Post#: 153985--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: May 10, 2026, 10:58 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> Another expense? They still use rugby balls. They don't just
borrow the blokes' balls.
>
> Zoe has always used a size 5 so potential improvements in the
women's game over the next few years don't matter?
>
--- End Quote ---
is not an a standard ball, it is a not a size 4.5 ball, it is a
4.5+ ball, so a small community club needs to buy them.
Ruby Tui said that she had not spoken to any women’s players
anywhere who had been consulted around it.
Solving a problem that does need solving, but Gilbert will make
some money.
#Post#: 153989--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: May 10, 2026, 11:33 am
---------------------------------------------------------
But maybe whoever came up with this has identified potential
improvements - I doubt very much they are doing this just to
make a few extra quid on sales of balls. Players don't get
consulted on changes in the men's game, why should they consult
the women? Again, current players are unlikely see the merit in
changing the ball size away from what they are used to, any more
than women currently playing cricket would be likely to want to
change to a men's ball.
I think it's a bit patronising to suggest that buying fewer size
5s and buying some 4.5+ would present an economic issue, unless
as I suggested above you simply think the women's teams are
borrowing balls from the 'proper' teams.
#Post#: 153992--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: May 10, 2026, 12:16 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> But maybe whoever came up with this has identified potential
improvements - I doubt very much they are doing this just to
make a few extra quid on sales of balls. Players don't get
consulted on changes in the men's game, why should they consult
the women? Again, current players are unlikely see the merit in
changing the ball size away from what they are used to, any more
than women currently playing cricket would be likely to want to
change to a men's ball.
>
> I think it's a bit patronising to suggest that buying fewer
size 5s and buying some 4.5+ would present an economic issue,
unless as I suggested above you simply think the women's teams
are borrowing balls from the 'proper' teams.
>
--- End Quote ---
a lot of grassroots rugby clubs struggle for every penny, and
world rugby always change the laws for the better, someone in an
office who is probably male is by far the best person to decide
which equipment to use, in your opinion.
Also the present proposed ball seems to be the same as the
sevens ball, which is harder to kick, as it is a different shape
to the size 5 currently used, which again seems
counterintuitive.
Perhaps whoever has come up with this was just attempting to
save the sinking ship that is world sevens since it is world
rugby who are throwing money down that drain.
Bit like changing the size of a planes wings and not asking
pilots if it is a good idea, also when did they make any changes
to equipment in men’s rugby.
#Post#: 153995--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: poorfour
Date: May 10, 2026, 1:42 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I was discussing this with Ms Poorfour Maj - who is also not a
fan of the change - and one point we noted is that in the
women’s game, this is the first generation of players who have
been able to train full time and have had access to full time
specialist coaches.
To put it succinctly, in kicking terms Zoe Harrison is
essentially the female analogue of Jonny Wilkinson.
I am old enough to remember what kicking in the men’s game was
like pre-professionalism, and specifically before Wilkinson set
a standard that forced the players who came after him to step up
the standard of their kicking dramatically.
The women’s game is poised at a similar point. And the signs are
that as we get more full time professional female players who
have grown up through a managed pathway, the standard of kicking
will rise - whether they use a size 5 ball or not.
And then there’s the very valid argument that the women’s game
gains from having fewer kicks, because the territorial gains are
smaller and so the calculus favours retaining the ball.
#Post#: 154000--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: May 11, 2026, 3:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It was a measure suggested several years ago, to use a smaller
ball. The powers that be have moved so ponderously that the game
has completely moved on and now no-one wants it.
#Post#: 154001--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: Yareet
Date: May 11, 2026, 3:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I did hear that some of the sevens players have enjoyed playing
with the 4.5+. Is there an argument for just using it in the
sevens series (sorry SVNS)?
#Post#: 154002--------------------------------------------------
Re: WXV: "Worst Decision Ever"
DIR By: DOK
Date: May 11, 2026, 3:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It looks like there should be no issue with a minimum weight
change. However, I suspect players will have to recode their
"muscle memory" for dealing with the ball. Especially for the
place kickers, you spend hours day after day learning to kick
the ball just right, maximising how to get the power going
through your foot and into the ball, and now it all changes? I'm
sure they'll cope, but the transition may be somewhat
frustrating.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 2
DIR Next Page