The Rhino Vortex Elite will be the official match ball for the Asia Rugby Championship, Asia Rugby 7s Series and all official Asia Rugby tournaments for the next five years.
Rhino was first appointed by Asia Rugby two years ago and this new deal will see the world’s No.1 rugby training equipment supplier continue its partnership with the governing body until 2024.
There are 31 member unions of Asia Rugby including Japan, China, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Combined with Rhino’s current deal with Rugby Europe it means that 78 rugby-playing countries now play matches with the Rhino Vortex Elite. Rhino also provides the official match ball of the Major Rugby League in the USA, Global Rapid Rugby across Australasia and Asia and a number of domestic leagues across the UK and Ireland, where it recently signed an official supplier deal with Leinster Rugby.
'The Rhino Vortex ball is our choice for more than 30 international matches and competitions we host every year' QAIS ABDULLA AL DHALAI, PRESIDENT, ASIA RUGBY
“Asia Rugby is delighted to sign a five-year deal with Rhino Rugby, home of superior kit quality,” said Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai, President, Asia Rugby. “The Rhino Vortex ball is our choice for more than 30 international matches and competitions we host every year, including our iconic Asia Rugby Championship & Asia Rugby 7s Series.
“We are confident Rhino Rugby is capable of assisting us delivering to our promise to grow the game together with 'Equality, Transparency and Accountability'.”
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Reg Clark, CEO of Rhino, added: “Asia Rugby have been using the Rhino Vortex Elite for two years for all international competition so this is confirmation of its position as one of the world’s best match balls. Combined with our recent deal with Major League Rugby in the USA and ongoing relationship with Rugby Europe, our position in the rugby match ball market continues to thrive and strengthen.
“We’re proud of being the longest-serving partner of both England Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union for our world-class training and contact equipment, and now our rugby match balls are very much on the same level.”
The Rhino Vortex Elite is part of an extensive range of match and training balls, and was also the Official Ball of the 2017 British and Irish Lions.
View Rhino's collection of match and training balls here.