Nine’s Wide World of Sports, in conjunction with the NRL,  today announced the exciting addition of a state-of the-art GPS player tracking system, the Telstra Tracker, to deliver in-match technology to viewers in State of Origin I on Wednesday, May 31  – Exclusively LIVE and FREE on Nine.

Live information including speed,  distance covered, heat maps of where players have been on the field  will all be incorporated into this Australian-first technology – and a first for rugby league broadcasting. 

The Telstra Tracker is made possible through a collaboration between  Nine, the NRL, NSWRL, the QRL along with a global leader in GPS player tracking, Catapult. Together they will unveil a system that NRL clubs and coaches have been using to measure players’ key performance indicators.

“The data we’ll display will take the audience deeper into the inner sanctum of what’s available to players and coaches during a match and give everyone watching a greater understanding of what it takes to play rugby league at the ultimate level.”

Telstra Tracker is the biggest innovation in a rugby league broadcasts since Spidercam was introduced over a decade ago.

Nine Wide World of Sports Head of Creative Alex Rolls, says: “There are reasons all 16 clubs have been using this information to analyse players’ performances game in, game out.  We are excited that the Wide World of Sports NRL is partnering with the NRL to bring viewers closer to the action.”

“We’re going to compare hookers, who’s doing the work, who’s covering the most metres, who’s the fastest winger, and heat maps showing comparing the all the big Origin player match-ups.”

The technology, known as LPS or Local Positioning System, is even more accurate than GPS as it relies on 20 beacons placed around Suncorp Stadium. The data is accurate to within 15 centimetres.

NRL Head of Strategy David Silverton says: “This is a very exciting initiative for the game which will have significant benefits not only for our fans but for players as well.”

“With this advanced technology, viewers will be able to access new insights into how the game is played and it will no doubt further highlight the unbelievable athletic qualities of the best of the best in rugby league.  We have been working on this for some time and also thank the NSWRL, QRL and the players for supporting this initiative.”

2017 HOLDEN STATE OF ORIGIN GAMES:

SOO Game 1 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Wednesday, May 31, at 7.30pm 
SOO Game 2 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney Wednesday, June 21, at 7.30pm 
SOO Game 3 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Wednesday, July 12, at 7.30pm

** Check local guides for details. 

Broadcast Times

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

State of Origin Game 1
XXXX Queensland Maroons vs VB NSW Blues

Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine 
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine 
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Adelaide 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on Nine

For further information please contact:  
Ryley McKay  
Nine Network Publicity
rmckay@nine.com.au 
02 9965 2727 

Thursday, 25 May 2017