All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says it’s bizarre that a long-serving security consultant has been charged over the listening device found in the team’s Sydney hotel last year.
A 51-year man is due to appear in Waverley Local Court in Sydney on March 21 charged with public mischief.
At the time of the alleged offence, the man was employed as a security consultant, NSW Police said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hansen was taken aback by the news of the arrest.
“Frankly, the charge seems bizarre and unbelievable,” he said.
“It’s very hard to understand. The charged man has worked for the All Blacks, and many other organisations, for a long time and is someone who is trusted and well-respected by us.”
With the matter before the courts, Hansen said it would not be right or proper to make further comment.
The listening device was found in the team’s meeting room at the InterContinental in Double Day last August.
The discovery was revealed on the day of the Bledisloe Cup Test at ANZ Stadium, dominating the build-up ahead of the All Blacks’ 42-8 victory.
Wee Wally
Guest
How many sheep jokes do you know? It is thin skinned people, like you, who drive this thing. I suspect that Hansen knows more than any of us and I am prepared to accept his reaction. The guy may well be innocent. The police are jealous of higher paid security workers.
Boomeranga
Guest
Piru - in what way is it more difficult and expensive than, for say, a UK or Japanese citizen?
ScottD
Guest
Come on the FORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ScottD
Guest
or blame the arrogance of the other (winning) team (sorry couldn't resist that one)
ScottD
Guest
or should we just blame media bias? Or take a leaf out of Shane Warnes book and blame our mother?
ScottD
Guest
I am so looking forward to some local rugby this weekend. I'm not sure about the 10's (hoping no season ending injuries for any team) but I'll still watch it. I assume despite all the bile above it's still fashionable to blame the ref if your team isn't good enough to win?
Pinetree
Guest
Good to see the person responsible has been caught. Be interesting to find the motive behind it all. I see the thread is rampant with Kiwis and Aussie's at each others throats with generalizations. Probably could do with some moderation, but I think the best thing to do is simply not respond and let the posts speak for themselves in their personal hate and bias from both kiwis and Aussie's, while the rest of us bite at the bit for the new season to get started!
Boz the Younger
Guest
Ahhhh, no. I think it entirely appropriate that New Zealand became a separate country to Australia. I was referring to the fact that the bigotry, I.e, that Kiwis come from "superior stock", started well before the 80s as Scott claims. And Jacko, I have no problem with the Australian government setting its welfare and immigration policies to suit Australians rather than New Zealanders. That is what they are paid to do, represent Australians and not foreigners, which is what non-citizens are. If Kiwis want the full benefit of being Australian they need to get a worthwhile qualification and be of good character, then become a citizen. Otherwise they should just be grateful that they get better work privileges than any other immigrant does.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Goodcall mate
ScottD
Roar Guru
"we don't like each pure and simple" ?mate what planet are you on? Aussies and Kiwis are as close as you can get Compare it to the French & English or French & Italians or French & Germans Hang on I think there is a common thread there....,,,lol Ok, compare it to the Serbs and Croats or the Yanks and Mexico or the English and Irish (Is there anyone I haven't offended yet? If so I apologise)
ScottD
Roar Guru
Actually I read somewhere the latest stats show that more immigration fom Aus to NZ last year than vice versa but it's not clear if that was Aussies or returning Kiwis. Personally I love living in Aus and wouldn't trade it in for anything. Even if I wanted to return my kids are card carrying flag waving true blue aussies and they'd never go Plus its too cold over there :)
ScottD
Roar Guru
Ok I get it now Boz. You hate kiwis because they wouldn't join your team 100 years ago It's not healthy mate you need to let it go...lol!
Jacko
Guest
And dont mention the war!!!
Jacko
Guest
Yes republican even BOZ kept his NZ citizenship... Go figure
Jacko
Guest
Boz have alook at the way a NZ citizen is treated by your Aus govt, when they shift here Vs the way an Aus is treated by the NZ gov when they shift there. 1 is fair and 1 is hateful. You figure it out yourself as no matter how much you are proven wrong you still continue with your hatred. Also if you think that NZ was wrong by not becoming part of Australia in 1901 then do you believe Aus would have agreed to become part of NZ/? West Island I think it is sometimes refferred to
Jacko
Guest
I think he is telling it like it ISN"T. He must have some issue tho with him being a kiwi himself. And he CHOSE not to give his NZ citizenship up but absolutes hate NZ and all NZers. so something doesnt add up...Gotta question whether he ever was a Kiwi to be honest.
Jacko
Guest
100%agree RAJ. the people who invaded a little over 200 years ago now rubbish and belittle those coming here now. Oh the Ironey..
rebel
Guest
Unsure mate, haven't been involved enough lately. Looking forward to getting down to see the boys run around though. I'd say Norths will be hard to beat with another year of experience under their belt.
piru
Guest
You've got some kind of personal stake in this Boz, it doesn't seem healthy mate.
Boz the Younger
Guest
This one from the NZ government is interesting too, apparently NZ didn't join with Australia in 1901 because; "The prevailing view was that New Zealanders were of superior stock to their counterparts across the Tasman". Yeah, it all started in the 80s. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/nz-says-no-aussie-federation