All Blacks Aim for Kicking Excellence with Adidas

Dan Carter and the new Adidas Predator X

London, November 19th, 2009 – The new PREDATOR®_X adidas rugby boot will be worn by Dan Carter this Sunday when the All Blacks continue their European end of season tour against England at Twickenham.

Introducing a pioneering PowerSpine technology, the PREDATOR®_X is distinguished by its unprecedented increase in shooting power of seven percent in comparison to its predecessor.

The new PREDATOR®_X was developed over five years by a team of experts from different fields including biomechanical and material specialists, and design and footwear developers and then tested by some of the best rugby kickers in the world including Dan Carter of New Zealand, Ronan O’Gara of Ireland, Jonny Wilkinson of England and South African World Champions Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar and Jean de Villiers.

The results are an astounding quality and fit improved by OptiFit technology. This technology brings all of the shoe’s materials as close as possible to the foot, creating a snug, three-dimensional ergonomic shape around the foot and providing greater control in movement, ball control and handling.

The new PowerSpine technology reduces the force on the foot when a kicker strikes the ball. Instead it transfers the saved energy directly to the ball which results in increased shooting power. It also decreases the flex and harmful impact on the metatarsal area of the foot, minimizing the risk of injuries.

Dan Carter says, “This new PREDATOR®_X fits like a glove. The PowerSpine element in the sole of the shoe gives fantastic support and enables excellent power and precision when kicking, while the adapted swerve zone at the side of the boot really enhances ball control.”

The PREDATOR®_X rugby boot will be ranged by selected retailers worldwide from January, 2010. The black/master blue with white stripes colourway carries a RRP of €200.

Additional adidas Rugby information for editors:

adidas is proud country sponsors of the NZRU All Blacks and the UAR Pumas. Its club team roster includes Crusaders of New Zealand, Heineken Cup teams Munster and Stade Francais, Stormers of South Africa and Kobe Steelers from Japan.

It’s individual sponsorship is just as illustrious with All Blacks Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Ali Williams; Delon Armitage, Jonny Wilkinson and Danny Cipriani of England; Argentina’s Felipe Contemponi; France’s Lionel Beauxis and Dimitri Swarzeski; Pierre Spies and Francois Steyn of South Africa; Italian brothers Mauro and Mirco Bergamasco and Ireland’s Six Nations winning players, Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell.

For further information visit http://http://www.press.adidas.com .

ENDS

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