How quickly things can change.
Two weeks into the 2016 season, punters and pundits alike were in awe of the NRL’s Bunker – a high-tech innovation that promised to speed up the game, and ensured that video review decisions didn’t leave us baffled.
"It will improve accuracy, efficiency, consistency and transparency, and combined with the introduction of the shot clock and a reduction in interchange, will result in a more free-flowing game,” then-Head of Football, now-NRL CEO Todd Greenburg said.
Few would begin to disagree that the reduction of interchange, coupled with faster scrums, has brought the little men back into the game.
But, just three weeks – and a handful of trips to the Bunker later – coaches and players still aren’t sold on the review technology.
In last night’s press conference, Sharks Coach Shane Flanagan said while the Bunker has lessened the time spent watching replays, inconsistency and inaccuracy remains still.
“I’ve been around footy all my life … for me (on the Leutele ‘no try’), Gal was behind Chris Heighington when he had the ball in support. Gal can’t disappear,” Flanagan said. “It’s a try, every day of the week.
“(On the Tedesco ‘try’) That’s a 12-point turn around. Their player stands in our defensive line; it doesn’t matter how much he is obstructed, that’s the rules – and they got it wrong.
“The Bunker hasn’t made better decisions. It’s just made the rulings come a bit faster. It’s sped the game up a little bit, but it’s still not making the right decisions.”
So we’re throwing it over to you – the fans of the game.
Has the Bunker made significant enough changes thus far to justify the hype?
Have your say in our poll below, or share your thoughts to us on Twitter @Cronulla_Sharks #WeAreSharks
