Police are investigating after a listening device was found hidden in a New Zealand All Blacks’ hotel room in Sydney ahead of the Bledisloe Cup.

The device was uncovered during a routine security check on Monday, ahead of the clash with the Wallabies on Saturday night – the first of three in the annual Bledisloe Cup between the two countries.

New Zealand Rugby chief Steve Tew confirmed in a statement that an Australian police investigation was under way.

“We are taking this issue very seriously, and given it will be a police matter, it would not be prudent to go into further details.”

The Australian Rugby Union had been informed and, with the NZR, had decided to hand over the investigation to the Australian police.

The New Zealand Herald reported that the device had been planted in a chair.

“A player was sitting on the chair with the planted device but it’s believed the bug was hi-tech enough that it wouldn’t have affected the quality of the transmission.”

Bill Pulver, of the ARU, told the Herald it was “completely ludicrous” to suggest the ARU had any involvement.

“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 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.”

Bugging can constitute a criminal offence as Australian federal law states: “Generally, it is an offence to knowingly install, use or cause to be used, or maintain a listening device to record a private conversation, whether or not the person is a party to that private conversation.”

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, when informed of the incident, said: “I think that’s awesome. If that gives us a chance to beat the All Blacks, I’m all for it.” He then admitted, “We’re going to need more than that.”



The Herald reported that World Rugby would likely investigate the incident.



The Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay hotel is also conducting its own inquiry, with a spokesman telling AAP on Saturday morning that management hoped to have more information soon.

Saturday’s game is the only match in this year’s Bledisloe Cup tournament scheduled to take place on Australian soil, with the other two to be held in Auckland and Wellington.

The All Blacks have won the Cup 43 times while the Wallabies have won 12 times.