There is a school of thought that Rugby has lost some of it’s ethos and soul since the game ascended to professional status.

However, Jake White, the newly instilled Montpellier coach, drinking beer from a boot after guiding his new side to a victory over European Champions Toulon is a throw-back to the alcohol soaked by gone era of amateur Rugby; the kind of story that your grandfather would tell you with a proud tear in his eye.

White, a former World Cup winning coach with South Africa, celebrated his maiden match in charge of Montpellier-cheered on by his squad -by chugging beer from a boot.

Such is the might of Toulon, any win over the aristocratic Mediterranean side should be greeted with similar scenes.

Clip Credit: http://gfycat.com/KindlyInsistentHectorsdolphin

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DESIGN:

The brand new Nike Magista Obra’s feature some of the most innovative design features in the world of rugby/football boots. Most of the hype surrounding the boots has been due to the flyknit upper and dynamic fit collar. The flyknit upper keeps the boots light and allows for a second skin like feel. The dynamic fit collar is designed to extend the boot and follow the natural contours of the foot. Also the boot’s tongueless upper makes the boot feel just like a sock. You could easily forget that you were even wearing boots! Included in the upper is a layer of padding to reduce any of the natural sting caused when kicking using thinner boots. This allows the boot to form a unique combination of a sock like fit with an almost leather like feel when kicking. The final piece of technology I will mention are the Brio cables within the upper. The laces are looped into the cables meaning tightening the laces tightens the whole boot. All of this technology leads to a fit previously only dreamed about.

PRICE:

£229.99 is a huge price tag for a pair of boots so you would expect them to be an impressive piece of kit. They are. I will repeat this point to the brink of exhaustion, but these pair of boots do not even feel like they are on your feet. If you have the money I recommend them, but as it’s such a large price, it’s got to score pretty averagely.

COMFORT: 

As you will have already realised, I am an absolute fan of the comfort of the Magista Obra. These boots are the epitome of comfort and even suit my wide feet! They fit true to size and require virtually no break in time due to the knitted upper.

PERFORMANCE: 9.5/10

These boots perform in any conditions due to the ACC technology (all conditions control) which is a layer designed to enhance touch in any weather. This also forms a water resistant barrier meaning the flyknit upper does not soak up water as many people seem to presume. The high heel counter and dynamic fit collar lead to a locked in feel which makes the boot extremely responsive whilst the flexible sole and conical studs allow for maximum agility and grip. Finally the cushioning allows for an easy kicking style with maximum comfort yet a great feel for the ball. All in all, these combine to make a great boot but I don’t think I can proclaim that a boot has a perfect performance.

DURABILITY:

I have worn these boots in all kinds of conditions even artificial ground and I’ve seen no signs of wear. As they are knitted people seem to think they will rip but they are just as stable as any other boots I own. There are many YouTube videos based on cleaning the Magista and although the collar may suffer some discolouration the main upper is easy to clean.

POSITIONS: perfect for any player from 9-15 but may be too unprotected for forwards

Skinny Summery:

DESIGN – 10/10
PRICE – 6/10
COMFORT – 10/10
PERFORMANCE – 9.5/10
DURABILITY – 9/10
OVERALL – 9/10 purely because of the large pricetag

Get your Magista Obra’s here!

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So sit back, relax, and choose your new boots!

We’ll give you 2 different options for each position. We have compiled all our research and looked for the best options for every player, suiting budget and quality.

#1&3 – THE PROPS

The fat guys. They need to have boots that have good traction, which usually means the extra 2 studs on the forefoot of the boot, but you need to find a mix of stability, support, and weight. if you have a strong sturdy boot but it’s too heavy and weighs you down, you’ll fatigue trying to get around the pitch.

OPTION 1 – ADIDAS ADIPOWER KAKARI II 

The Daddy. Suited to the player who wants to dominate the scrum and is the foundation of their team, the Kakari performs in every way. Treated to a Bravo synthetic leather, this has the feel of a soft K-leather but is far stronger to deliver a specific forward play boot. From a performance perspective, this material also helps prevent boot deformation and stretching, resulting in the shape being retained for longer while also moulding quickly to your feet. Most professional players’ first choice. Apart from a redesign, the Adipower kakari is still pretty much the same boot we saw last year, but it has set the standard for all Forward’s boots and in my opinion is unrivaled in comfort and stability.

CURRENT PRICE: £84.99

RATING: 8/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

OPTION 2 – MIZUNO FORTUNA 4 SG

A great value boot for players of all abilities, the Mizuno Fortuna 4 SI SG Rugby Boots are a humble offering which should not be under-estimated. With a price tag of only £30, it’s very hard to go wrong. Made from a durable synthetic upper, for durability and ease of maintaining, the Fortuna employs a traditional central lacing system and fold-over tongue for optimum comfort and support across the boot. The light weight and flexible outsole combines with a reinforced midfoot to offer great traction through the implementation of eight screw-in studs across the heel and forefoot. Best suited to soft natural surfaces, the Fortuna makes light work of heavy and wet conditions throughout the demanding rugby season.

A very comfy boot and will serve you well.

CURRENT PRICE – £29.99

RATING – 6/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

2 – HOOKER

The guy who’s stuck between the two fat guys and is usually fat himself. The hooker has two choices when it comes to boots – he can go for a lighter 6 stud pair and sacrifice some traction in scrums, or get an 8 stud pair like the props but risk not being as mobile around the pitch.

OPTION 1 – XBLADES LEGEND SPEED SG

A lesser known brand but certainly making a great impression (apart from being worn by Dylan Hartley..), The Aussie brand are really impressing us here at RBP. Weighing in at only 267g (UK size 8), the ultra-thin premium kangaroo leather ensures plenty of comfort to treat your feet to. Employing a traditional central lacing system this further enhances the overall feel, as does the padded heel and ankle support. Designed to make light work of soft natural surfaces, the Legend Speed employs strategically positioned screw-in, metal tipped studs. Can easily whack a set of 21mm’s on them and go to town.

CURRENT PRICE – £79.99

RATING: 7.5/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

OPTION 2 –  ASICS LETHAL WARNO ST2

One of Australia’s finest exports, the Asics Lethal Warno ST2 SG Rugby Boot has made the long journey to grace our shores with power, speed and comfort in perfect harmony. Featuring a mix of leather and synthetic leather across the upper, wearers will experience instant comfort supported by great durability. Perfectly suited for positions 1 ‒ 8, the Lethal Warno is enhanced by the Asics HG10mm (heel gradient) which is now common place in all their rugby boots as an innovative way of preventing injury by placing less stress on your foot during play. One of the lightest 8-stud boots around, they’re not to be messed with.

CURRENT PRICE – £109.99

RATING – 8/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

4&5 – THE LOCKS/SECOND ROWS

The Tall guys, their main jobs involve having their heads stuck between two fat guys’ legs, or have their fingers up their arse. Either way, it’s not a position I’d like to play! But here’s our suggestions for their boots.

OPTION 1 – ASICS LETHAL SCRUM 

One of the Take-downs from the Lethal Warno, this boot is still nothing to be messed with. sporting a £60 price tag and a striking yellow colour, these are great for any player 1-8. This boot incorporates a synthetic leather upper and EVA cushioning making it both sturdy and comfortable, enhancing fit and performance all round. With an interchangeable eight stud configuration, the Lethal Scrum lends itself perfectly to natural soft conditions and is suited to players seeking extra traction in their forward play.

CURRENT PRICE – £55.99

RATING – 7/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

OPTION 2 – MIZUNO MORELIA PRO SG 

The lightest 8-stud boot on the market. A distinguished reputation as a true classic in terms of design and fit, the Mizuno Morelia Pro SG Rugby Boot has stood the test of time and just keeps on performing. A timeless black and white offering, with touches of red for flair, the Morelia Pro is an all-round high performer that is as popular now as it was when introduced back in 1985.

CURRENT PRICE – £89.99

RATING – 9/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE!

6,7 & 8 – THE BACK ROW

The workhorses. These guys will win you the ball, get you over the gain line, and score some pretty epic tries as well as stopping some. They need to be mobile as fuxk and able to get over the ball in rucks and not be budged easily.

OPTION 1 – ADIDAS FF80

The boot specifically designed for the back row. It’s hard not to mention it in a boot guide! Every aspect of the adidas FF80 has been engineered to increase traction in scrums, rucks and mauls; allowing loose forwards to be faster to the breakdown and provide a solid platform for explosive acceleration. After all, this is the boot of choice for All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.Made from a strong, light and secure Bravo synthetic across the upper, a great inclusion is the TPU weld, a band of power wrapping over the forefoot which improves lateral stability. Another performance enhancing addition is that of the 5mm heel raise, designed for a dynamic foot position to aid sprinting.

CURRENT PRICE  – £129.99 (CHEAPER IN OLDER COLOURS)

RATING – 8.5/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

OPTION 2 – ASICS LETHAL FLASH DS3

Presented as a traditional platform for rugby play, the Asics Lethal Flash DS 3 ST SG Rugby Boot thrives off standing out on the field but without compromising on high performance and comfort. The soft synthetic leather across the upper creates a natural touch and comfortable fit which has the look and feel of real leather. The material also helps reduce the weight of the boot and in addition allows your foot to breathe. Unique to Asics, the 10mm HG (heel gradient) is a subtle feature feature which helps to shift body mass forward to reduce the strain on lower limbs. A very light and sturdy boot that will not let you down and will last for the ages.

CURRENT PRICE – £79.99

RATING – 9/10

YOU CAN GET THEM HERE! 

All the boots shown above are available at Lovell Rugby , Which offer free UK shipping with orders over £100. How can you go wrong!!

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With New technology brought into the new line of the popular Nike Mercurial range, We needed to review this new piece of kit!

Design:

The new Mercurials stand out from the crowd to say the least. A striking Hyperpunch and Yellow/Gold combination delivers a look that isn’t for everyone however in my opinion the boot does look the part. The boot also has a new tongue-less design and lacing system that is coupled with a new super stretchy and thin microfiber. This provides an almost sock like feel to the boot. The stud arrangement has also changed which doesn’t perhaps look as good as the old ones but does deliver a simplistic look which I do like.

Price:

£160 (£150 on Lovell Rugby)- Certainly a large sum of money and for that would expect a very good boot and the Vapors are an exceptionally good boot that will not let you down. Flashy, eccentric and bright it is a boot that will let people know that you spent a lot of money on your boots and for some that may be off putting and others a plus point. Although the boots are very good I feel as if the price tag is a bit hefty and would be better suited around the £100 price range but don’t let this put you off them.

Comfort:

The most comfortable boots I have ever worn. So light you barely feel as if you have anything on your feet, the tongue-less design makes the boot a dream to get on and off and also gives a satisfying sensation when you kick the ball in the sweet spot. Only complaint would be that if you have wide feet then these are probably not the boots for you.

In-Game Performance:

Works well in both the dry and the wet with the grip never seeming to fail. Due to the lack of a tongue your feet stay very dry even in heavy rain. The lightness of the boot comes into its own when you are playing; they feel more like running spikes at times than boots when flat out sprinting. However I would not recommend these boots to a member of the tight 5 as the grip when scrummaging I found to be good in general but you are probably better off getting a stronger boot. This boot is probably better suited to a back or loose forward.

Durability:

No signs of wear and tear yet however I haven’t played too much in them. But they do appear to be strong boots. I thought the stretchy material they are made out of would be ripped instantly but I was proved wrong. Although there is a problem, which some backs will share with me, and that is that they get dirty very easily and are also hard to keep clean but that is a price you will have to be willing to pay to get the bright colours of this boot.

Skinny Summary:

• HIGHLIGHT: Really Light, vibrant looking
• CATEGORY: Speed
• WHAT POSITION: Loose forwards/Backs
• OVERALL RATING: 9/10

Get your Vapor X Boots Here!

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