Hugh McGahan: Dressing room cameras way too close for comfort

We may now be getting close to invasion of privacy with the NRL dressing room cameras.

In last Saturday night's Warriors vs Parramatta fixture, Brent Webb was ruled out of playing late and was shown in a dejected disposition on camera in a state of undress in a pair of what was thought to be shorts. He stood up to disrobe further and pulled his shorts down.

Only the quick action of the director, in cutting to Steve McIvor and Peter Ropati, saved matters. These two were fronting the show and had shocked looks on their faces - intimating that it was a close call to showing a full frontal nude shot of Brent Webb.

Thankfully there was no such viewing, but remember those who were in the broadcast van, including women, could still see the vision of the changing rooms and Webb. This is also able to be viewed after the games, where there are more bodies without clothes showering and changing to meet up with wives and girlfriends.

If those same women knew their partners were being watched on camera, I'm sure they would not be happy. The fact that people within a van are able to view footage of players in a state of undress and can gloat openly to friends, colleagues, family and anyone who wants to know what players look like without their clothes on is not right.

I am not stating that any person has done so, but it is open to abuse.

I understand that it is interesting for those at home to capture a glimpse of the atmosphere of a changing room prior to kick-off. But where do we stop?

Under this scenario, should we have a camera in the Silver Ferns' changing room before their fixtures? No, we should not. Although there would be a train of thought that most males would love to see this.

We now have a camera on the field showing a close-up of a player after he scores a try and it does give the feeling of being on the field with them. The thought of cameras being in places and players forgetting they are there, as would've been the case for Webb, is becoming part of the unhealthy society we are living in, but that shouldn't make it acceptable.

Reality television is an element of life we unfortunately live with, but please let it go no further than it already has.

How long will it take before the All Black changing room is viewed regularly on our screens?

This is an environment most people would give their right arm to be in. Many a player has sacrificed years of broken bones, concussion and blood to earn this honour. But now there is a possibility it could be sold off for about $50 a month via a subscription.