25-07-2025
A struggling Junior B Hurler tried out boots worn by some of the top Lions stars
Full disclosure for the try-scorers, line-out wreckers, and ruck specialists among you: this rugby boot review is written by a man who has never played a minute of rugby in his life.
When Canterbury reached out looking for someone to trial their new 'Heat Pack' boot range—timed nicely with the ongoing British & Irish Lions tour—they probably pictured a rugged club player putting them through their paces on the training fields of Clontarf, Sutton, or Blackrock.
Instead, the Red Dahlia Phoenix 2.0 made its grand debut in the not-so-hallowed turf of the Dublin Junior 'E' Hurling Championship. The stage? A crunch clash between Whitehall Colmcille and Round Towers Clondalkin. Canterbury's Phoenix 2.0 boot
Sure, these boots might be built to thrive on the manicured turf of Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, but could they handle the reality of a rain-soaked council pitch in West Dublin?
Answer: surprisingly well.
Spoiler alert: my beloved Whitehall Junior Bs lost—despite racking up five goals—but the boots weren't to blame!
There was no break-in period needed. Straight out of the box, the Phoenix 2.0s were light and comfortable. For someone used to very budget-friendly boots from a nameless popular sports shop chain, this was like discovering a luxury hotel after years of camping.
These are boots for the all-rounders. The grafters. The non-flashy midfielders who cover every blade of grass and never make the match report. For forwards and speedsters, Canterbury's Stampede and Speed models offer position-specific alternatives—but the Phoenix is the everyman's choice.
Despite being firm-ground models, they handled the wet pitch without slipping. There were no blisters or bruises, either—always a risk when breaking in new gear.
But perhaps most importantly, did they pass the peer test?
Now, we all know confidence comes from within, blah blah blah... but I'm not above a dopamine hit. And when the compliments rolled in at Junior Football training later that week, the boots were officially a hit.
Canterbury says the Phoenix 2.0 is 'built for the player that does it all.' And if it's good enough for a dual-code Junior B warrior, it'll more than do the job on a rugby pitch.
You can check out Canterbury's full boot range HERE.
