Bugging Device Likely To Be Work Of Betting Agency, Says Expert

The listening device hidden in the All Blacks hotel suite is more likely to have been placed by a betting syndicate than the Wallabies, says a sports management expert.

The bug was found sewn inside a chair during a routine security sweep of the team room used by the All Blacks at Sydney's Inter-Continental Hotel in Double Bay where the New Zealand squad stayed ahead of Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup encounter.

AUT associate professor of sports management Geoff Dickson says the planting of the device is more likely to be the work of a gambling syndicate than anybody involved with the Australian Rugby Union or the Wallabies.

Dickson told Rachel Smalley on Newstalk ZB this morning that betting syndicates have large amounts of money at their disposal for such covert operations. He said their motivation would be the information gained which would assist with setting odds for a match outcome.

Dickson added that he would be surprised if any ARU involvement was uncovered, saying the cost of getting caught would be catastrophic for anyone associated with the sports organisation.

New South Wales police are investigating the discovery of the device after it was reported to them on Saturday morning.

On Saturday, ARU boss Bill Pulver categorically denied the Australian union had any involvement in the bugging of the All Blacks.

"It is completely ludicrous. 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'm utterly disappointed the story would break on match day and frankly, that's all I've got to say," Pulver said.

"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."

via NZ Herald