30.12.2015

The Mitre Maori Match Rugby Ball is a match quality modern-style rugby ball made from synthetic materials. The rugby ball comes in two different sizes:Size 4– which is 4” (junior size – usually used for under 14s).Size 5 – which is 5” (international size) which is approximately 27cm long and 60cm in circumference at its widest point.PLEASE NOTE: This review is for the size 5 rugby ball.The first thing that needs to be stated about the rugby ball is that it comes deflated. As such, you'll need a hand or foot pump (a bicycle one is likely to suffice) along with a football/rugby pump needle. If you haven't already got a needle, don't worry, they're dirt cheap.

30.12.2015

This review is courtesy of my rugby playing family members along with my own observations. I was sent a Size 5 ball, which is the standard size for adult rugby in both codes, League and Union. The ball arrives deflated and you will need a pump with a needle adapter to blow it up. In time honoured fashion the needle needs to be damp otherwise it sticks in the rubber valve. Don't use petroleum jelly as this causes rubber to perish. Glycerine is recommended by Mitre (there may be some in your kitchen cupboard as it's used for fondant icing.)The white, silver and black Maori Match ball features stylised Maori designs and some designs are also embossed on the ball,

21.6.2016

Our youngest son is extremely passionate about rugby and plays for our local under sixteen's rugby team. Last year he was one of the only boys chosen to play in every single one of the local team's rugby matches. He is so determined to play for Wales one day, that he practices whenever possible, which means he gets through rugby balls at a fair old rate, so I was delighted to be able to review the Mitre Squad Rugby Match Ball.Mitre is the world's oldest football brand and for nearly 200 years Mitre have been unrivaled in their innovations for football and at a later date rugby.The ball arrived deflated which wasn't a problem, it was easily pumped up using our Mitre football pump.

21.7.2016

I played rugby from the age of six until my mid-thirties at semi-pro level for a lot of that time and some coaching after. This is an excellent rugby ball. Highly visible thanks to the patterning, just as well with my failing eyesight when playing out in the back garden with my grandson just tossing this around. Very good feel to it when throwing and a very grippy surface compared to the balls I used to play with. Whilst we've not had much in the way of rain so the ball didn't get that dirty, one wipe with a damp cloth, as recommended, soon dealt with that. I'm very impressed with this ball from Mitre and I was a Gilbert man before this. The ball is supplied deflated so you do need access to a needle,

14.6.2016

Throw it in the old bread basket. If you know what that means, then you may want to buy a rugby ball to play with. You can pick up a ball for various prices - from the novelty ball that depicts your nation, to a ball they may use at International level. The 'Mitre Stade Ruby Match Ball' sits somewhere in between. Although stated as a match ball, the quality is not quite of that level. The plastic finish is nice and rough and designed with dimples that make it easier to grip, but it does feel like plastic. The best balls that I have used in the past have been man made, but have a leather feel to them as well as being grippy.At the price point that this Mitre ball is aimed at,

22.6.2016

Get a grip. Not in life, but of a rugby ball. It may just be the first thing that you notice withe 'Mitre Squad Rugby Match Ball', it is all knobbly and grippy. This is because the ball is made from some rubber/plastic combination that makes it easy to get a handle on. The ball comes flat, but is easily pumped up and then simple to hold. Personally, I don't find it the nicest sensation, preferring a more leather effect with grip. However, the ball is very functional and does the job required.In terms of build it is well made and as it is only four large panels it should take a battering. In fact, the rubber finish means that it is slightly less likely to become too dirty and will look newer for longer.

3.1.2016

I asked my boys to have a kick about with this Mitre Maori Rugby Match Ball to see what they thought about it. The ball is supplied deflated with no instructions provided, however the Product Description on Amazon's page does give comprehensive care instructions so is well worth reading before you start handling the ball; using a pump with a pressure gauge was helpful for us. In play the boys weren't particularly impressed with the ball – the material is supposedly synthetic but does have quite a strong rubber smell about it, and the valve on the seam is probably to keep costs down rather than improve performance.A reasonable enough ball for kids to start playing with,

30.6.2016

(Review of the size 5 ball).Overall the Mitre Squad Match ball is well constructed. The stitching seems strong and the four panels are aligned well with minimal overlaps at each tip. The inflation point for the bladder is slightly proud so it's easy to pump up the ball with reduced chances of the needle damaging the inside of the ball but it sits snuggly in the seam so it's not in the way. A nice touch is the small printed information panel by the inflation point giving optimal pressure values.The main point to make is the ball is incredibly "grippy" as other reviews have noted. I've tested a fair few rugby balls across my own playing days and those of my sons,

1.1.2016

I played rugby to the pinnacle of mediocrity for many years as a teen and these days join in on the occasional game or practise with some friends who play in local clubs. Suffice to say that I'm familiar with the budget to middle end of the rugby ball market and - lo and behold - this Mitre ball would be just about ideal for my uses. This is Mitre's top-end ball, priced about where the bottom end of the Gilbert range begin! It's a natural rubber ball with an excellent textured finish that feels like it would grip well in wet weather. Of course it's not the quality sof a top-end leather match ball but it shows every sign of holding its inflation well, taking a boot nicely and it looks very appealing too.

15.6.2016

I have used a number of Mitre footballs in the past and in general have never been disappointed with the construction or longevity. This is the first Mitre rugby ball I have used and again I have been impressed with the quality of construction and that it feels solid and robust. Definitely well made with good stitching and the four panels are aligned correctly.It is full sized and the embossed dimpled surface of the ball makes it particularly ‘sticky’. Even if wet and covered with muddy slime you should not have a problem keeping a grip on it. The colour scheme, a disruptive dazzle on a predominantly white background looks the business.Fun to use in the park and capable in a proper game as the ball is match weight.Again Mitre have hit the sweet spot with this rugby ball,

29.7.2016

Mitre are having a very good go at supplanting Gilbert in supplying match balls. This is a very grippy, well made rugby ball that is regulation weight, is easy to see, maintains pressure and the construction appears to be well done. Whether these would be used in anything other than club games/matches, however, is the question. For schools and club games this will probably do, same for practice. Having played the game at semi-pro level I would still tend toward the Gilbert, although this is still a very good ball, I feel that this is just not quite there yet for serious play. It is shipped deflated and doesn't come with either a needle or pump so you will need to either invest in both or borrow,

10.1.2016

When this item arrived in the post it came in a very large brown box. Once opened I found a football in cellophane. This was quite disappointing, especially if it was bought as a gift. Most rugby balls come in a presentation box, which displays the ball, no such packaging with this item. The ball itself is very nice and quite well made. The stitching appears to be good and it looks to be of good quality. The brand is known and I guess a child would be happy to play with a ball from this manufacturer. I say this, as so much kit is about name recognition. As most other reviewers have stated the coloured ball is better than this black and white one,

8.7.2016

When it comes to balls (and I’m talking about the sports kind), there is no name that better known than Mitre. This particular rugby ball is the full match size five, so I caught a pass off the back of the scrum and dived in to tackle this one head on.Thankfully, the ball arrives deflated and can be easily inflated using a hand or foot pump. The ball itself has a rubberised outside, making it easy to throw/catch and should protect it from most sharp items out on the field. The standard white is complemented by brightly coloured yellow patterns which make it both easy to see and improves the look.Overall therefore, I can do little to fault what is a great solid ball – it looks great,

21.6.2016

When it comes to balls (and I’m talking about the sports kind), there is no name that better known than Mitre. This particular rugby ball is the full match size five, so I caught a pass off the back of the scrum and dived in to tackle this one head on.Thankfully, the ball arrives deflated and can be easily inflated using a hand or foot pump. The ball itself has a rubberised outside, making it easy to throw/catch and should protect it from most sharp items out on the field. The standard white is complemented by brightly coloured patterns which make it both easy to see and improves the look.Overall therefore, I can do little to fault what is a great solid ball – it looks great,

12.6.2016

The description given here is that this is a match standard rugby ball, and also a training ball; my red, blue and white ball, identical to the ball shown here has TRAINING printed on it.That issue aside this is a ball of the high standard expected from Mitre. The dimpled surface enables a good grip without affecting the aerodynamic flight of the ball.The ball is supplied deflated and care does need to be taken on inflating the ball to ensure the lining isn't pierced by the needle. It's a standard four panel construction with the valve in the seam so that the smooth lines of the ball are not unduly affected.My rugby playing grandson loved the appearance and handling qualities of this ball,

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