NEW ZEALAND‘s rugby union team believe Australia have bugged their hotel ahead of today’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney.
The All Blacks sensationally claim a “sophisticated” listening device was found on Monday, but police want to know why it has taken until Saturday for them to report it.
The New Zealand Herald states that the device was discovered when security staff carried out routine checks at the team’s InterContinental Hotel in Double Bay.
The report claims foam in a chair appeared to have been deliberately cut for the listening bug to be planted and then sewn or glued back together in the hope it would be undetectable.
NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew: “There was an All Blacks team meeting there earlier in the week.
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“If the device was working properly, and we don’t know that for sure, then they would have overheard that.
“But we don’t think it’s a catastrophic issue for the game tonight. We’re going to get on with it.”
The fact that it took the All Blacks so long to report it raises the possibility of them attempting to feed the Aussies false intel ahead of today’s game.
The hotel has since launched its own investigation.
Head of the Australian Rugby Union Bill Pulver hit back: “Mate, of course [the ARU is not involved].
“I just think it’s a ludicrous concept that there are listening devices being placed in team rooms. I don’t know how that could happen.
“I’m utterly disappointed the story would break on match day and frankly, that’s all I’ve got to say.
“We are going to focus on a game of rugby that we’ve got tonight and we will deal with this matter after the rugby.
“I simply don’t know the background but I’m clearly disappointed it gets out to the media on the day of a Bledisloe Cup match.
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