New Zealand’s police minister Judith Collins turned her wrath on the Sunday Star-Times newspaper today for sending “terrorists” to Super 14 rugby games in a supposed bid to test security ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

The newspaper sent people masquerading as terrorists to rugby matches in Hamilton and Christchurch last weekend, with at least one carrying a fake bomb.

It was apparently an attempt to test World Cup security, but Ms Collins wasn’t having that as any excuse.

It was ridiculous to expect Super 14 games to have terrorist-level security, and New Zealanders wouldn’t want it, she said.

“The actions are unbelievably stupid and irresponsible. This stunt had the potential to result in games being called off and stadiums evacuated,” she said.

“If there had been panic there was the very real possibility that people — particularly the elderly, children and those less mobile — could have been hurt.”

Sunday Star-Times managing editor Mitchell Murphy told the stuff.co.nz website Ms Collins had “grossly” overstated the paper’s actions.

The newspaper had sent reporters to carry out the investigation. One had false explosives, but carried a letter outlining the investigation, in case he was stopped.

“Our investigation, which is a matter of significant public interest, was well planned and carefully considered,” he said.

“We sought legal advice prior to commencing our investigation and the journalists involved worked under strict protocols.”

© AAP 2012

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