So what is Tactic? Well, basically it is a camera fitted tightly into a pocket on the player's headgear which captures footage from the athlete's perspective. The wireless video is streamed live to a laptop which the coach and players can view.
The developer, Insight Sports Technology (IST), says it is "cutting-edge technology" which has the potential to "revolutionise coaching".
Tactic has some high-profile supporters. The All Blacks tested a prototype and were impressed with what it had to offer. Buoyed by those initial trials, the Dunedin City Council got in behind the concept and gave IST a $30,000 grant to assist with its commercial development.
The Otago ITM Cup team used the technology during its campaign and the product was launched at Otago Boys' High School yesterday.
"Anything that can give a team a bit of an advantage is important," Mooney said. "And this tool is a really useful one in developing and enhancing decision-making."
He said a drill could be run and the player shown the footage immediately afterwards. He could then look at what could be improved.
The technology is particularly useful for the playmakers in the backline, but Mooney said Otago No 8 Gareth Evans had also found it helpful.
After viewing the footage, he discovered he had been looking down for too long at ruck time and was able to use that information to improve his game.
The technology is also helpful in determining where hookers are looking just before they deliver the ball during lineout drills.
The camera is water-resistant and the casing is made of carbon fibre so it is lightweight and robust.
The unit is not cheap, costing about $20,000. However, Hayden Croft, of IST, said it was designed with professional and semi-professional teams in mind and the price was comparable with GPS systems used by many Super rugby teams.
