For Tonga family Sterlo happy with fake crowd noise
success rate.
His NRL baptism has been made easier by having experienced heads such as Adam Blair and Tohu Harris alongside him in the Warriors pack.
‘‘The boys have made my job a lot easier; I’m just glad I got an opportunity and every time I get an opportunity to play I try to put my best foot forward,’’ Katoa said.
‘‘I’m lucky, all the boys have helped me a lot and the coaches. I always ask questions if I don’t know something, ask the boys how they do something, and they helpme, they want me to get better.’’
The Warriors have reaped a lot of praise for their performance against the Dragons after achieving their first clean sheet for 14 years and setting a new NRL record by completing 46 of their 48 tackle sets.
But Katoa isn’t getting too carried away.
‘‘We just have to back it up, we’ve got a game against Penrith next so hopefully I get picked for that game, and we do what we do again,’’ he said.
In the first round of matches since coronavirus halted the NRL’S 2020 season inmarch, fans have had to get used to a slightly different scene – most obviously, empty stadiums and fake crowd noise.
But by using technology NRL broadcast teams have opted to fill the void left by vacant arenas normally buzzing with cheering fans.
Nine’swide World of Sports’ NRL coverage launched a cutting-edge innovation, partnering with Australian company ‘AFX’ to give the live TV broadcast virtual crowd noise that flows with the game.
The technology had its debut when the Broncos hosted the Eels at Suncorp Stadium last Thursday, and on social media supporters appeared to mostly approve of the audible hum of non-existent fans in Brisbane. But for others, it might take a little getting used to.
For NRL legend Brad Fittler, who was on the sidelines for the Roosters’ win over the Rabbitohs on Friday night, he was in the rare position to be able to directly compare the two experiences.
‘‘I was watching the footy last night from the studio [Eels v Broncos] and you had that wonderful sound of the crowd in the background and it became really hypnotic and took your mind off the fact there were no people there,’’ Fittler said.
‘‘Now sitting on the sidelines, the thuds from the tackles and the slaps of the bodies coming together is just a massive reminder of why you retire!’’
Fittler’s jokes aside, fellow Nine commentator and former NRL star Peter Sterling identified a silver lining to the controlled crowd volume from broadcast, arguing that it allowed more of the intimate on-field noises to be heard watching at home.
‘‘I must admit, I really like it when the sound effects are turned up and you’re getting the sounds of the contact and the physicality of our game coming through,’’ Sterling said.
‘‘That really is the most appealing part of the game.’’
For those fans not fully sold on the fake crowd noise, Sterling said in the extraordinary situation the NRL is in, it will do for now.
‘‘In weeks to come I don’t think it’ll even be on our radar that it’s happening. The closer we can simulate our contest to what it normally is, the better,’’ he said.