All Blacks bugging device less than three days old

Australian police are scouring CCTV footage in the hunt to identify who planted a listening device in the All Blacks’ hotel meeting room.

Latest developments in the ongoing police probe include poring through security camera footage in what has become a “forensic investigation” into what happened at the Intercontinental hotel in Double Bay.

The Weekend Herald also understands that the listening device, found concealed in a chair, only had a battery life of around three days — and was still operational when discovered by All Blacks security personnel.

The twist suggests the All Blacks were the specific target and its presence in their hotel meeting room was not from a previous deployment.

New Zealand Rugby was not prepared to comment last night when asked about the bug’s battery life and its status when found. A spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to comment further while the police investigation continues.

Australian Rugby Union chief Bill Pulver, who categorically cleared the ARU from any involvement in the scandal last weekend, flies to New Zealand this morning ahead of the All Blacks and Wallabies’ second Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington tonight.

He said he would be talking to NZR counterpart Steve Tew today, but the bugging incident would not be a priority on the agenda.

Part of the police investigation is focused on why there was a five- day delay in the device being reported by NZR. The bug was found by All Blacks personnel on Monday, August 15 during a routine security check. However, it wasn’t reported to police until Saturday, August 20 — hours before the Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said management decided it was best to wait for Tew to arrive in Sydney from the Rio Olympics before taking the matter further.

Journalist and sports betting investigator Declan Hill said the device was probably planted by big players in the gambling market.

“If you know who the starting 15 is . . . before anybody else does, that’s a huge advantage.”

Hill said the planting of listening devices in team hotels was common and even endemic in some parts of the world, such as in China.

He said the only surprise in this instance was that it occurred in Australia and that it appeared it was now happening in rugby.