All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has dismissed claims New Zealand Rugby held off reporting the discovery of a listening device at the team hotel in Sydney last year until the day of their match against Australia in a bid to disrupt the hosts’ preparations.
The ‘spygate’ incident soured relations between the rugby rivals throughout last season and tensions resurfaced this week after Australian police charged a security consultant contracted by the All Blacks with public mischief.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) waited five days before reporting the device to Australian police on the day of the match last August, then held a media conference to announce the discovery.
Although New Zealand made no accusations against their opponents, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said this week that there were “inferences” made against his team.
And Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver complained that the delay in making the report had left a “bitter taste”.
Hansen, who described the security consultant’s arrest and charging as “bizarre”, denied the timing of the report of the device was strategic.
“The Wallabies were already under enough pressure and it’s not something … as I said, the integrity of the game is bigger than winning or losing, and it’s not something we would do,” he told New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB.
“It’s unfortunate it came out at that point and both sides were affected by it, because it was a shock to everyone in our group who weren’t aware of it – we kept it pretty quiet.
“There’s no advantage to us. To hear (Pulver) saying we were trying to put them off is just rubbish.”
Adrian Gard, a 51-year-old security consultant who had been used by the All Blacks for nearly a decade in Australia, will face court next month.
Hansen said Gard deserved a fair hearing.
“I don’t understand it. I know the guy that has been charged with it and I’ve got a lot of time and a lot of respect for him,” he said.
“I don’t see any motive for him to do it. That’s why I can’t believe it.
“He’s someone we hold in high regard.”
piru
Guest
I thought Sydney pubs shut when the sun went down
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Maybe boz was alone at the time and thinking of his favourite boy band ?
moaman
Guest
He can't even spell his name ffs.
ClarkeG
Guest
The pettiness is tiresome.
ClarkeG
Guest
No I didn't say I disagreed either. I did not state a 'position'.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Sooo factually wrong, groucho. he is an aussie like russell crowe is an aussie, he's yours... working with his brother,ex aussie army, in an aussie registered company... suck it up...
Groucho Jones
Roar Rookie
We need to put to bed this idea that Gard is an 'Aussie'. He crossed the ditch to work in private security. A Kiwi, employed by the All Blacks, plants and finds a bug. And somehow, this benefits Australia? Please.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Heh bro, do you know where maraitai is ?
piru
Guest
What did his eyebrows say?
soapit
Guest
lets say there has been an acknowledgement of this from the nzru (and save me confirming). even despite this very few fans (including urself above) have been willing to do it.
soapit
Guest
yes i was extrapolating a little. apologies for the misinterpretation. so you disagree with the nzru on that point? interesting position.
ClarkeG
Guest
Feel free to take a breather at any time Boz. Your constant barrage must be more taxing than playing 10s in the Brisbane heat.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
What would you know about good sportsmanship boz, your negative asinine puerile comments against kiwis suggest a personal character weakness only sated by keyboard warrior comments -
Boz the Younger
Guest
mania, that is the most ridiculous comment that I have read on this site. Good sportsmanship is a central tenant of rugby, it should in fact be in all sports, the ethos of rugby has always been to play hard but fair. Hanson even alluded to it in the article above, i.e. "...the integrity of the game is bigger than winning or losing". He should practice what he preaches. Personally I find it sad that so many New Zealand rugby supporters are out of step with the rest of the World on the way this game is supposed to be played. As I have said before, you can be the best in the World but nobody else will respect you if you don't play fairly. It devalues what the All Blacks and New Zealand have achieved in rugby and I think that is a shame.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Website indicates been in Oz a long time, his brother even been in Oz army as a military policeman for 10 or so years -probably has had the ol lobotomy which means he is yours i.e. an ozzie.. like russell crowe you can have him..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
a decade - that's 10 years - they weren't tops for ten years !
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
As usual took them that long to answer their phones ?
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Entertained? It's the laugh that keeps on giving, keep up the good work. Meanwhile, there's actual rugby being played, insignificant as that may be to the perpetually outraged petals here Pfft indeed!
ClarkeG
Guest
Don't worry Boz - we are not worried...but we are entertained. Well not we ....I can only really speak for myself.
ClarkeG
Guest
Then again the logical conclusion could be that neither of those logical conclusions apply.