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A 51-year old man has been charged over the bugging of the All Blacks changing rooms
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The man had worked for the New Zealand team
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The incident led to a war of words between Michael Cheika and Steve Hansen
Australian police have arrested and charged a 51-year-old man with public mischief after an investigation into the discovery of a listening device at the All Blacks hotel in Sydney.
Police added the man was employed as a security consultant at the time of the alleged offence and in a statement, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said that man had also worked for the New Zealand team.
“He is someone who is trusted and well-respected by us,” Hansen said.
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“Frankly, the charge seems bizarre and unbelievable. It’s very hard to understand.”
The listening device was discovered in a chair in the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney and was described to be similar to one utilised by ‘spy agencies’ according to TVNZ.
The New South Wales police service released a statement regarding the matter.
“A man has been charged after a listening device was located in a room at a hotel in Sydney’s east last year.
“An investigation was established in August 2016 by detectives from Rose Bay Local Area Command to investigate allegations a listening device was located in a room at a hotel in Double Bay.
“Following inquiries, earlier today (Tuesday 7 February 2017), a Future Court Attendance Notice was served on a 51-year-old man for public mischief to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 21 March 2017.
“At the time of the alleged offence, the man was employed as a security consultant.”
