Steeden boss defends pink balls introduced for NRL Women in League round

THE boss of Steeden footballs has stressed there was nothing different about the controversial pink balls that were dumped midway through round 16.

THE boss of Steeden footballs last night stressed there was nothing different about the controversial pink balls that were dumped midway through the Women in League round.

The special balls were described as lighter and more susceptible to swirling around in the air.

Dragons playmaker Jamie Soward described them "like a rugby union ball" after Friday night's win over the Titans, which is one of the reasons why the commemorative footballs were scrapped by Saturday night.

Storm skipper Cameron Smith took it one step further and said it was impossible to guess which direction the ball would head when kicking for goal.

The brouhaha over the pink balls left NRL officials seeing red. What was supposed to be a weekend about breast cancer awareness - and acknowledging the contribution of women in league - turned into a public relations nightmare.

Steeden's brand manager Cameron Black personally contacted The Daily Telegraph from England and said: "The balls are made in the same factory as every other ball we make. The only thing different is the pink ink that goes on it. Perhaps there is a perception it's different because of the different colour.

"The weight does not change and the ink is in the same spots."

Black said there had been 90 pink balls made for this year's Women in League round. He said all those balls had been scientifically tested, and hoped they would see action again next year.