Samsung and Panasonic have just announced that they’ll be bringing 3-D TV sets to the US market starting today, and this could – repeat could – be instrumental in making some rugby games less boring for players and spectators wherever rugby is played.
The change could come about not because of the format itself, but because if sports on 3-D TV takes off, advertisers are going to demand that certain sports be made more watchable and more commercial.
Rugby’s an excellent case in point. Nobody’s interested in looking at an exquisite shot in three dimensions of a scrum being reset three or four times. And nobody will want to see the ball being kicked repeatedly from one team to the other even if it is in glorious 3-D. Pressure could well be applied to make the game more entertaining, more exciting, more capable of producing hard, fast running rugby.
Association football doesn’t have to worry about making any changes as people are quite happy with the present laws, as well they should be. In fact, it’s soccer that will benefit first as ESPN plans to set up a separate 3-D channel to broadcast the FIFA World Cup.
If there’s enough response, it’s possible that the RWC will also be offered in 3-D. It’s too late to change the laws for that event, but beyond it, who knows?
If the new technology is a success in the States, where rugby is growing, and in tech-savy Britain, Ireland and France, and later on in Oz, NZ and SA, it may force the IRB to make the changes they should have made years ago.
How much will it cost to have the latest in sports technology in your living room? It won’t be cheap. You’ll need to buy a 3-D plasma TV, a 3-D Blue-ray player, and rechargable 3-D specs. Ouch!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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