New Zealand Rugby has confirmed a bugging device was found in the All Blacks' Sydney hotel in the leadup to tonight’s Bledisloe Cup opener.
NZRU said in a statement that an investigation is underway, after the device was found in a team meeting room.
NZRU chief executive, Steve Tew says a listening device was found in a meeting room during a routine security check.
He says the hotel immediately launched an investigation, and they have informed the Australian Rugby Union and have decided to hand over the investigation to the Australian police.
The sophisticated device ‑ described as similar to that used by law enforcement and spying agencies ‑ had been planted in a chair in the hotel where the team have been staying since Sunday.
The report also suggested the 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.
It was discovered on Monday after team management asked the security detail looking after them in Australia to sweep the room at the Intercontinental in Double Bay for bugs.
The Wallabies will face the All Blacks at 10.05 tonight.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
