The Gilbert Synergie is a rugby union rugby ball produced by Gilbert. The Gilbert Synergie was the official match ball of the

2007 Rugby World Cup The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 2 ...

, replacing the Gilbert Xact used in Australia during the

2003 Rugby World Cup The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup. Originally planned to be hosted by India, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the Indian Rugby Union and Rugby World Cup ...

. The ball was introduced in time for the

2006 Autumn internationals The 2006 end of year tests, also known as the 2006 Autumn Internationals, refers to several international rugby union matches that took place during November 2006 principally between touring teams from the southern hemisphere – Australia, Argentin ...

. The Synergie differs in a number of ways from the Xact — mainly with the advancement with the technology of the matrix grip pattern. The matrix uses star-shapes instead of the conventional round shapes, resulting in superior handling, in particular in wet conditions and kicking. A Gilbert engineer said of the Synergie that "we have been working on the new ball for Rugby World Cup 2007 for some time now and are confident that we have again developed a ball that will deliver the best all-round performance ever. A Multi Matrix grip pattern and reaction laminate construction allows the Synergie match ball to deliver improved handling whilst still maintaining the unique kicking performance of the current Xact ball".

References

{{reflist Rugby union equipment