Police query bug delay
Investigation under way after listening device found in team hotel, reports Tom Decent.
POLICE are investigating a suspicious ‘‘electronic device’’ found at the All Blacks team hotel in Sydney but say they only became aware of the matter via a media report five days after it was originally found.
It is understood a sophisticated listening device was found in the All Blacks’ team room at their Intercontinental Double Bay hotel on Monday ahead of the Bledisloe Cup opener last night.
Police confirmed the object was located in a chair, while NZME reported: ‘‘foam of the seat appeared to have been deliberately and carefully cut to make way for the surveillance device and then sewn or glued back together to be almost undetectable’’.
Rose Bay Local Area Commander Superintendent Brad Hodder said the matter was under investigation, however, the time it took for police to be notified was not ideal.
‘‘We’ve started an investigation as to what that device is,’’ Hodder said. ‘‘A delay in any investigation is always tough but we’ll look at that information and treat it accordingly.
‘‘Any offence is serious, we will be looking at all the avenues.’’
Asked whether he had ever seen such a device in his time, Hodder replied: ‘‘I personally haven’t, no.’’
New Zealand Rugby confirmed an investigation was under way with NZR chief executive Steve Tew saying: ‘‘A listening device was found in a meeting room this GETTY IMAGES week during a routine security check.’’
Tew later told reporters the device could have picked up secret team discussions, however he was not prepared to point the finger at anyone just yet.
‘‘There was an All Blacks team meeting there earlier in the week,’’ Tew said. ‘‘If the device was working properly – and we don’t know that for sure – then they would have overheard that [information].
‘‘But we don’t think it’s a catastrophic issue for the game. We’re going to get on with it.
‘‘We haven’t made any accusations of anybody, so there’s no room for denials.’’
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said there was no way the union had anything to do with the device.
‘‘Look, I have literally just seen a note from Steve Tew telling me about this ... the two unions have agreed to hand the matter over to the police,’’ Pulver told NZME.
‘‘Mate, of course [the ARU is not involved]. It is completely ludicrous. 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. ’’
The allegations are incredibly serious for the sport with ramifications expected to be farreaching, particularly on the eve of the Bledisloe Cup opener.
The State Surveillance Branch will use security footage from the hotel to try and see whether someone planted the device.
Whoever was responsible would have had to know when and where the All Blacks were having their team meeting, information that is not public knowledge.
One theory being thrown around is recording the device was meant for someone staying at the hotel before the All Blacks arrived on Sunday last week. The Sun-Herald GETTY IMAGES