KEY POINTS:
"No animals and no fruit here," says kicking coach Mick Byrne, as he punts the All Blacks' new adidas rugby ball. "Just pure rubber that does the job we want it to do."
The ball was unveiled yesterday after 18 months of research, design and development.
Byrne was
quick to point out that the new ball was a far cry from that described as a "pig and a lemon" by Andrew Mehrtens in 2002.
He was joined by All Blacks Dan Carter, Luke McAllister and Nick Evans for yesterday's launch at Ponsonby Rugby Club, where media donned boots to test the ball.
"It's the spin and the spiral, not the strength, that gives the length," Byrne helpfully explained as he gave a few pointers on punting.
Evans offered guidance on drop-kicks, McAllister explained the grubber and the chip kick. Carter helped teach how to kick between the posts.
The most noticeable differences are that the ball's valve is between the seams and the ends are more rounded. It is also slightly heavier than previous balls, to counter strong winds.
It will be used at home by the All Blacks and other national teams, including the Black Ferns and New Zealand Maori.
The ball will debut in next week's test against France at Eden Park. It will also be used in the Air New Zealand Cup and the Heartland Championship.
But it will not be used in the World Cup in France in September. Byrne said the All Blacks were "not overly concerned" about any competitive disadvantage.
"Every country uses its own balls and we'll be using three different types with the Tri-Nations. Going into the World Cup we will prepare with the balls we will use in the tournament."
The new adidas ball would be consistent and accurate, he said.
"But the key is to get our technique right and the ball will look after itself."
Adidas has supplied balls for the soccer World Cup for more than 35 years, but the company's record in rugby has not been so good.
Although the principal sponsor of the All Blacks, adidas lost the ball rights to rival Gilbert in 2002 when All Black first five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens described the then adidas product as "a pig and a lemon".
Craig Waugh, New Zealand marketing manager for adidas, said yesterday there had been "some issues" then that the company had learned from. The ball deal is for five years.
The new ball
* Valve between hand-stitched seams, "enhancing balance and adding strength"
* Made of natural rubber, creating a "true relationship between kicker and ball"
* Still must sail between posts for points
