The Bunker
The Bunker is powered by a world class fibre network from almost every NRL venue to improve the accuracy, consistency, efficiency and transparency of the decision review process.
| THE BUNKER IN NUMBERS | |
| 57 | The NRL Bunker is equipped with 57 monitors. |
| 20 | racks of servers across the NRL Bunker and mobile venue kits. |
| 20 | HD video feeds from NRL stadia to the NRL Bunker. |
| 29 | kilometres of cable at the Bunker. |
| 3 | Broadcast cameras on remote control pan and tilt heads will beam pictures of the official review room to broadcasters for integration into their program. |
| 100% | Switch glass technology provides 100% visual security in game for NRL Video Review officials. |
| The Bunker also contains a fully integrated communications system and remote control of the on-site try/no try graphic elements from the Video Referees touchscreen. | |
Behind the NRL Bunker
Incidents reviewable by the Bunker
Point Scoring Plays
- Grounding
- Knock on
- Obstruction
- Double Movement
- Offside (Section 14 or from Kick)
- Goal or Field Goal (ball travelling between uprights and over crossbar only)
- Touchline/Dead in Goal/Touch in Goal
- Tackle in the air
- Stealing the ball (2 or more defenders)
- Foul Play
Reportable Foul Play
For the Bunker to become involved in an issue of foul play, the incident must be deemed to be "On Report" – more than just a penalty.
Goal Line Dropouts and 20 Metre Restarts
The Bunker can review who last touched the ball before it went touch in goal/dead in goal and how the game should restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bunker?
The Bunker is the NRL's centralised facility where the live in-game decision review process will be conducted in season – the first of its kind in Australian sport.
Where is the Bunker located?
The Bunker is located at Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh, Sydney.
Why has NRL introduced the Bunker?
The Bunker was introduced to provide NRL review officials with world-class technology and enable them to deliver more accurate, efficient, consistent and transparent decisions.
How will the decision review process in the Bunker operate?
For each match of the NRL season, one Review Official and a Senior Review Official will oversee the decision review process in the Bunker. The Review Official will be responsible for making a decision recommendation to the Senior Review Official who makes the final call.
How the decision review process will operate:
- On-Field Controlling Referee indicates a live decision (Try or No Try) and communicates to the Bunker what they would like reviewed...
- Review Official will review individual camera replays and verbally indicate decision considerations as they conduct the review – the Senior Review Official will oversee this process and interact with the Review Official where necessary...
- Senior Review Official will consider the decision recommendation from the Review Official and make the final call...
- Decision outcome (Try or No Try) will be displayed on the stadium video screen and into broadcast.
What benefits does the Bunker bring to the game?
The Bunker provides review officials with access to state of the art technology including multiple camera angles and playback control for all reviewable decisions. Touch screen interfaces, zoom functions and split screens will further enhance the decision making process.
The Bunker also provides other benefits including:
- A secure and remote location for review officials which is conducive to decision making
- A reduction in the number of review officials adjudicating on decisions, aiding decision making consistency
- A reduction in the steps required to determine reviewable decisions and faster access to every available camera angle for review officials, aiding decision making efficiency
- The opportunity to provide live explanations of decisions, aiding decision making transparency
- The opportunity to centralise the match review committee process and reduce the latency for live statistics capture
How does the Bunker operate from a technical perspective?
- In Stadium: The NRL accesses individual camera angles from the Host Broadcast Truck at the stadium outside broadcast (OB) compound.
- Connectivity: The individual camera angles are then transported to and from the stadium to the Bunker via Telstra's digital video network platform.
- Video Review Technology: Hawkeye's multi angle video review technology enables synchronous playback and a record of the individual camera angles at the Bunker.
- NRL Bunker Official Review Room: Review officials are located in the Official Review Room with multiple screens, playback control of individual camera angles and two way audio console to complete the decision review process.
- Audio & IP Network: A dedicated audio and IP network solution between the Bunker and stadium enables two way communications between review officials, on field referees and host broadcasters as well as IP data transfer of the final decision from the Bunker to Stadium video screens.
What contingency plan is in place in the event of technology failure?
The in-stadia referees match day coach will fill the role of review official in the event the Bunker experiences any technical issues.
The review process to be adopted in the event of technical failure will be the same as the previous in-stadia video referee solution.
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.