Our New Zealand balls page is dedicated to rugby balls in the colours of the All Blacks, black and featuring the silver fern, offered as they arrive. You will discover the history of the team that won titles in 1987, 2011, and 2015, the meaning of the haka, and our tips for choosing the right ball size and keeping it safe, whether you plan to play with it or keep it as a souvenir.
The black ball featuring the fern.
New Zealand played its first test in 1903 in Sydney. The nickname All Blacks emerged during the "Originals" tour in Britain and France in 1905 and 1906, during which the team lost only one match. It won the first World Cup in 1987 at Eden Park in Auckland, triumphed again at the same venue in 2011, and in 2015, at Twickenham, became the first nation to retain its title. Players like Jonah Lomu and Richie McCaw have made their mark on this history.
The nation balls also come in various forms:
All nation balls are gathered on the nation balls page.
The black jersey and the silver fern, an endemic plant that has become a national emblem, form one of the most recognisable identities in sport. Before the kick-off, the All Blacks perform the haka: most often "Ka Mate", composed around 1820 by Māori chief Te Rauparaha, which celebrates the victory of life over death, and sometimes "Kapa o Pango", created in 2005 for the team. The ball in New Zealand colours features this all-black design, loved by supporters and fans of simple design alike.
For passes in the park or at the beach, the size five ball is suitable for adults and teenagers from about fifteen years old, the size four for those aged eleven to fourteen, and the size three for the younger ones. The mini ball, about sixteen centimetres long, is popular with toddlers and collectors. A dark colour heats up quickly in the sun: it's best to avoid leaving the ball on a backseat during summer, as the expanded air strains the bladder and seams. Kept cool, it maintains its shape and deep colour.
Good bargains can be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a steady order: Black Friday in late autumn, the festive season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school season.
The balls offered to fans feature the black and fern of the team, for playing or collecting. The ball used in tests is a competition model, distinct from these supporter versions.
Rugby is the national sport, played in every town, and a training system connects schools, provinces, and Super Rugby franchises. The game, based on skill and movement, is taught from a very young age.
This Auckland stadium hosted the World Cup finals in 1987 and 2011, both won by the All Blacks. It remains the stronghold of the team, where visitors seldom emerge victorious.
It's a safe bet for any rugby fan, young or old, drawn to the prestige of the team and the simplicity of the black design. It can be used in the garden or displayed on a shelf, with no size issue for an adult.
The regulations set a pressure of 0.67 to 0.70 kilograms per square centimetre at kick-off, which is about nine and a half to ten pounds per square inch. A pocket manometer can be used to check this before playing.