KURT Gidley may find himself centre stage if he is targeted by anyone tonight – he is wearing a camera in a world first.
But the Warrington man insists he and broadcasters Sky are not trying to stitch anyone up with their first ever Playercam in rugby league, nor will he deliberately watch his tongue.
The Aussie full-back will take TV viewers to the heart of every collision he has against Leigh with the help of the revolutionary new camera, which will be worn in a vest under his shirt in what he likens to a sternum guard players who have had an injury in their chest area wear.
Footage may be used during tonight’s game and the 34-year-old will review it fully tomorrow.
If anyone goes for 34-year-old Gidley, likewise if he commits any foul play, people will have a ringside seat as he becomes a guinea pig, if health and safety tests are passed.
But he is happy to find out is anyone will find themselves an on-screen villain after he previously wore a microphone during Challenge Cup games for the BBC.
Gidley said: “Sky are not trying to stitch anyone up and they’re not trying to make me out to be someone I’m not.
“In tests I’ve done with it, I haven’t altered the way I’ve played previously or the way I speak. Likewise, I’ve not gone over the top either.
“I believe it’s the toughest sport out there. Certainly over here we can grow the game even more and encourage younger kids to have a go at it.
“Sky approached Warrington a couple of months ago and my name was tossed up as being a guinea pig as I’ve worn a microphone a couple of times over here and also in the NRL.
“At first, I was naturally a bit cautious about the idea but I did a traing session with it on and it was fine, I guess me being a more experienced player made me a better candidate – it’s not something you’d ask a younger player to do.
“Sky will be smart with the footage they use – and it produces really good pictures from what I’ve seen. It’s going to give rugby league fans and non-rugby league fans an insight into what the game looks like out on the field.
“One of the most compelling things about the game is its toughness and aggressive nature.”
Gidley’s role has received the backing of Wigan coach Shaun Wane.
He said: “I like stuff like that, anything that’s a bit different but sells our game. I don’t think enough people see our game and I want more people to see it. Anything that can spread the Gospel of our fantastic game, I’m up for it.”
While Gidley’s camera is the talk of the game, Kevin Brown admits he is frustrated at his start in a Warrington shirt – and has called on his team-mates to help change it sooner rather than later.
And coach Tony Smith says embarrassment may be a factor as frustration is creeping in while they sit bottom of Super League.
Warrington have lost their first four league games for the first time since 2009, when Smith replaced James Lowes as coach.
It is the nightmare start for England ace Brown after his big money move from Widnes – but the experience of 12 months ago in a Vikings shirt is proving useful.
“I said the other day that at Widnes last year, we won our first six games and ended up finishing seventh,” said stand-off Brown.
“At Widnes, there were a few slumps in form but there wasn’t the pressure and expectation there is here.
“There’s an expectation about each other and how good we can all be – that’s part of why we’re getting as frustrated as we are and probably dropping our heads a little bit.
“As an experience, it’s probably a good thing to go through, even though it’s a bad thing, but that needs to stop now. We’ve had our experience and character tested for long enough.
“We’re hugely disappointed and frustrated. People are either enjoying the story that we’re down there or looking to get into us.
“It’s a test of our character. I’ve not been through too many times like this but I do know it can quickly turn around.
“There’s no looking past the fact we’ve lost four games but I’m still confident in what we can do as a team.
“It’s down to things we can easily rectify and work on.”
Smith himself insists he is not feeling the pressure – but admits there was frustration after Warrington were ‘outplayed’ by Wigan.
However, he believes things will turn around as they prepare for the battle with Leigh.
He said: “We were hurting after the Wigan game, which was the first where we were outplayed. It can be frustrating if you let it get to you, though.
“We don’t like where we are on the table and all players are a little bit cringy and embarrassed about it.
“There was a lot of disappointment but we’ve still got faith in ourselves.
“But how do you get a win? By performing well. I’ve been through periods where I’ve lost 15 games straight and it’s always been about performance.
“We need to start performing. The focus for this coach is getting my players to play well consistently. If we get a win but play poorly, we’ll get beaten again continually.”
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