Referee cam Super 15

K3v

Heard about this from one of my friends out in Australia. Really looks amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lxXU-5rbPo

GiftofGab

Not the biggest fan of this. It's just taken TV coverage too far. Might be good for controversial decisions. Looks very uncomfortable for the ref.

TheOldHand

GiftofGab wrote: »

Not the biggest fan of this. It's just taken TV coverage too far. Might be good for controversial decisions. Looks very uncomfortable for the ref.

Back to the stone age with you.

It's a brilliant development and I can't think of a single downside. I predict that every player on the pitch will be broadcasting images within the next 20 years.

GiftofGab

TheOldHand wrote: »

Back to the stone age with you.

It's a brilliant development and I can't think of a single downside. I predict that every player on the pitch will be broadcasting images within the next 20 years.

Probably just me but I just think it's unnecessary. I prefer to just have the TV camera's showing the replays.

I could be completely wrong but it might just be a phase. Kind of like what sky sports did with having a player cam. It just had one camera focused on one player for 15 mins and not the match. You could view it during the match by pressing the red button on the remote. Or like having fan commentry. They all appear like unnecessary stunts to try get more viewers. IMO it will phase out in the next year or two.

Hagz

I reckon it's much more than a phase. It's great for the audience to see the action up close and it benefits both referee's and coaches to have such footage that they can refer back to.

JustinDee

GiftofGab wrote: »

Probably just me but I just think it's unnecessary. I prefer to just have the TV camera's showing the replays

Just a gimmick and I agree with you, completely uncecessary, like boxing ref's bow-tie camera. It doesn't even give the scope of what a ref sees. Just a limited closer look to a part of their field of vision.

Heroditas

Just wait until they start using it to analyse anything the ref misses.

.ak

I think it's really nifty, but a bit of a novelty. Still, if any competition uses it up here, it'll defo be ERC under Sky. They'll lap that up.

lologram

Negativity ahoy!

I actually watched this game live and experienced the refcam that way rather than via a youtube clip. The cam wasn't tacky or gimmicky. They used it sparingly enough, perhaps around 5 times in the whole game, so that it didn't overstay its welcome.

It was quite interesting and new. I didn't have a problem with it and neither do most people it seems given the positive response. See also: the vid making it to the front page of Reddit yesterday.

People like innovation. I'm sure people decried the introduction of touchline cameramen with steadicams as gimmicky. I don't know whether the refcam will take off but I certainly don't think it warrants griping about.

prospect

You'd probably have better player discipline, especially when the ref goes to clear up a bit of a fistycuffs, because they know they are being recorded / streamed.

I'd say this would result in more use of the TMO during play.

Actually, it is also another POV for the TMO's try scoring decisions.


All good IMO.

Neil3030

Sky will be raging when they stick this thing on Poite and get no footage of the game.

Teferi

Yeah, watched the video a few times and I like it.

Heroditas

Neil3030 wrote: »

Sky will be raging when they stick this thing on Poite and get no footage of the game.

Blind Dave too

chris85

JustinDee wrote: »

Just a gimmick and I agree with you, completely uncecessary, like boxing ref's bow-tie camera. It doesn't even give the scope of what a ref sees. Just a limited closer look to a part of their field of vision.

The boxers bow tie camera is flawed as it is on the tie and not on the head. The body will not necessarily be facing what the ref is looking at. If its on the head it would be more representative of the ref point of view

chris85

i can just imagine Ireland in possession, 4 points behind, clock ticks over 80 mins and we are camped on the opposition's try line. We are battling in the forwards and the ref keeping an eye over the breakdown, TV goes to ref cam and you see it up close and the intense battles going on. How good would it be to view the breakdown from the refs viewpoint.

eyeball kid

Didn't think it was too bad. It might be the next fad in sports broadcasting but I wouldn't mind seeing a game or two with it used sparingly.

pickarooney

Not sure I'd like to watch a full game like this, or have the choice to switch to refcam made by the broadcaster but it's definitely an interesting development and very useful for analysis post-game.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Its interesting in theory though I don't like the idea of watching a game in it. I would however be interested in a sky red button interactive option to watch ref cam and the ability to rewind and rewatch controversial decisions in ref cam

chris85

I dont anyone would like a full game in it but as an option to cut to, post match analysis or TMO decisions.

Tim Robbins

chris85 wrote: »

I dont anyone would like a full game in it but as an option to cut to, post match analysis or TMO decisions.

The conclusion of this would be to surely just have someone super fit running around and have the ref watching it all on TV.

JustinDee

lologram wrote: »

People like innovation. I'm sure people decried the introduction of touchline cameramen with steadicams as gimmicky. I don't know whether the refcam will take off but I certainly don't think it warrants griping about.

By all means, use it as a means for TMO as there are already non-broadcast camera angles used by TMOs and citing commissioners.

The place for anyone not playing or officiating though is off-field, in the stand or on the couch. Like changing room cams or cameras in the face of management, I just don't think they should be there.

prospect

I don't see the issue with using it as an occasional viewpoint, but certainly not an entire game.

I think it would be best to view replays of particular incidents.


It is a bit like the direct overhead camera that is a feature of some stadia, I love seeing a replay of the scrum from directly overhead.

Swiwi

Just imagine - does Richie cheat or not at the breakdown could finally be settled once and for all!

.ak

Swiwi wrote: »

Just imagine - does Richie cheat or not at the breakdown could finally be settled once and for all!

Well no, we already know he does (as do all good 7's). But the question should be: Do the refs know?

Aiden7

They had something similar in the London Scottish v Newcastle match at xmas i think

Swiwi

Lucky this wasn't on the ref cam.

Taken from rugbydump - ouch! Who would want to be a ref?

sydthebeat

jesus, nearly upchuked my dinner there