How NRL bunker will work in Las Vegas

The NRL will begin testing its Las Vegas bunker system ahead of the historic round 1 double-header, revealing its prefer method and fall back plan.

Let’s go to the video.

Three hi-tech companies will conduct simulated tests over the 12,500 kilometres between Las Vegas and Sydney to verify the technical capabilities of rugby league’s bunker.

The NRL plan to operate the bunker from its Australian Technology Park base in Eveleigh for the American double-header but will trial the technology to determine how successfully, and quickly, contentious tries can beamed from Vegas to Sydney, and then back to Vegas.

Conducted by NRL partners Telstra, Hawk-Eye Innovations and NEP Australia, a Pittsburgh-based broadcast company, the experiment is due to be completed sometime this week.

The NRL is desperate to ensure that bunker engineering can operate to and from a foreign country, outside of New Zealand, without glitches.

A key test will be the latency – the time it takes to beam vision from America to Australia. The NRL will not risk any possible issues given the two games are for competition points.

NRL management has drawn up an alternate bunker system, to be run from Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, should this week’s tests break down.

NRL players Aaron Woods, Campbell Graham Spencer Leniu and Billy Walters at Allegiant Stadium. Picture: David Becker/Getty Images

There are no immediate plans to try and move the entire bunker to America for the March 2 games involving Manly, Souths, Sydney Roosters and Brisbane.

“We are currently conducting some technical testing, but our plan is it will be business as usual,” said NRL head of elite football operations, Graham Annesley.

“The testing is purely good practice to ensure we provide the same decision-making process clubs and fans expect for any premiership match.

“At all NRL venues we always have an in-stadium back-up system in place to cater for any possible technical issues to ensure games operate normally at all times.

“What fans in Las Vegas, and those watching at home, will see is exactly the same as any other NRL game.

“We’ve had great support from our broadcasters, Telstra, NEP, and Hawk-Eye to make sure everything runs smoothly on game day.”

The NRL felt the testing was important given rugby league has never previously played a club game incorporating a bunker in America.

The three companies involved will have personnel based in Australia and the US to conduct the testing.

Assuming the testing is positive, contentious decisions from both games will be instantaneously beamed back to Eveleigh and the bunker will operate as normal.

Hawk-Eye’s website reads: “Recognised as a global leader in the live sports arena, pioneering change across Broadcast Production, Officiating and Performance through cutting-edge technology.

The NRL bunker is set to beam into Las Vegas.

“Hawk-Eye delivers best-in-class technology to rights holders, officials, broadcasters, and more across the full video and data value-chain, constantly supporting the growth of sport through technology- from the field to the fan.”

And NEP claims to be a “global media technology company that is revolutionising the way people create and share content.

“With our cutting-edge technology and innovative approach to production, we are transforming the way people experience entertainment, sports, news and more.

“Anywhere, anytime, on any platform, we deliver the solutions to help you make, manage and show the world your content.”