All Blacks respond to bizarre hotel bugging charge involving former employee

There are more questions than answers after the culprit behind the 2016 All Blacks hotel bugging incident was charged.

Australian police arrested and charged a 51-year-old man with public mischief following an investigation into the discovery of a listening device at the New Zealand team hotel in Sydney last year. The device was found ahead of their Rugby Championship clash against Australia in August, which they ended up winning 42-8. Police added that the man was employed as a security consultant for the All Blacks at the time of the alleged offence. In a statement released by NZ Rugby, head coach Steve Hansen admitted that the revelation that one of their own was charged over the incident has left him perplexed.

“Frankly, the charge seems bizarre and unbelievable. 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." “However, as with all cases before the courts, there has to be a due process that takes place and it is not right or proper for us to make any further comment as this could jeopardise the outcome of the case.”

Australian Rugby Union Chief Executive Bill Pulver was also confused by the story, but for a different reason. He took a swipe at New Zealand Rugby over the timing of the news emerging, considering the device was supposedly found in a hotel room earlier in the week.

"The aspect that still leaves a bitter taste out of this whole affair is that the discovery of the device was reported publicly on game day, when it is understood that the alleged discovery of the device occurred much earlier in the week leading up to the test match." "Clearly the media attention which resulted from it was a distraction that neither team needed on the morning of a very important test match."

However, Pulver added that he was content with the news of the man being charged, as it provided some closure to the story.