25 Oct 2016

All Blacks cleared of bugging hotel room - report

8:44 am on 25 October 2016

The All Blacks have reportedly been cleared by NSW police of bugging their own hotel room in the lead up to the opening Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney in August.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Australia's Daily Telegraph reports that betting syndicates have also been ruled out as perpetrators of the bugging, but it's likely to take weeks before police wrap up their investigation.

After the incident, rumours emerged that the All Blacks planted the device themselves in a prank gone wrong.

Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Wayne Smith, Dunedin 2016.

All Blacks coaches Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Wayne Smith. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

However that theory has been debunked, with police confirming the listening device found at the Intercontinental Hotel in Double Bay was live.

Police said they found no evidence that an All Black was involved in the planting of the device.

The Wallabies coach Michael Cheika revealed on the weekend that police had turned up to the Australian Rugby (ARU) headquarters in Sydney and questioned management about the discovery of the device before the opening Bledisloe Cup Test.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika Photo: Photosport

Cheika was incensed at the implication some have made that the Wallabies were behind the planting of the device and accused the All Blacks of revealing the find in an attempt to destabilise his team on the day of the test.

NSW Police have given no indication that they are investigating any suspects or even if a crime was committed.

An investigation is still ongoing and NSW police are yet to give a timeframe on when it will be completed.

-RNZ

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