ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH: Virtual crowd success in NRL could be an idea for Union’s return

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday May 28, 2020

With rugby union set to resume in two weeks with New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, there are certain things that it can learn from the sports that have already resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The competition between New Zealand’s five franchises will be behind closed doors, as are the other competitions that are already being played.

The most high-profile return was the Bundesliga in Germany, which has already provided three rounds of football. Rugby league’s NRL also made its comeback today, with the Parramatta Eels overcoming the Brisbane Broncos, but one of the main talking points of the game was the virtual crowd that accompanied the play.

One thing that has been frequently commented on since football’s return is the eerie atmosphere for TV viewers created by the empty stadiums. The echoing sound of players’ voices is far from what viewers are used to, so that problem has been alleviated by the NRL by using a catalogue of sounds from past matches.

Virtual crowd example:

While an idea like this would have been met with scepticism, with fears that it would sound nothing more than a recycled video game track, it was far more authentic in practice, adroitly replicating the swells and dips in the intensity of the crowd to match the action in the game.

The idea has been met by overwhelming positivity by fans after game one of the NRL’s return, and this could well be adopted by other sports.

ADVERTISEMENT

Having forerunners such as the Bundesliga and the NRL provides Super Rugby Aotearoa the opportunity to see what is a success and what is not before the season starts on June 13th. The consensus seems to be that the virtual crowd is an idea worth looking into.

After weeks of no action, many fans will want a return of rugby, or any sport, in any form. But with no sign as to when fans will be allowed to flock to stadiums again amid the pandemic, the virtual crowd could make viewing far more palatable and closer to what it used to be.

ADVERTISEMENT

Truth be told, not everyone enjoyed it.

What do you think? The way forward for rugby in the next few months? Let us know in the comments below

Related Articles

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Tickets now on sale as World XV set to face...

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    '60 metres, plus change' - massive drop goal...

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Referee makes 'tackle of the season' as he...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 18 HOURS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All