8 Feb 2017

Allegation security consultant planted All Black bug

10:48 am on 8 February 2017

The security consultant charged following the All Blacks bugging scandal has reportedly been accused of fabricating the drama.

51-year-old Adrian Gard, who has worked with the All Blacks for more than a decade, was yesterday charged by NSW police with public mischief after a six-month investigation into the scandal that rocked last year's Bledisloe Cup.

Gard was charged over a listening device, which was found inside a chair at the team's meeting room before the opening Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney last August.

Public mischief is an offence that relates to providing police with false information and carries a maximum 12-month jail term.

A promotional photo on the BGI Security website of Adrian Gard and former US President Bill Clinton.

A promotional photo on the BGI Security website of Adrian Gard and former US President Bill Clinton. Photo: BGI Security

Australia's Daily Telegraph are reporting that police will allege Gard planted the bug himself and then "found" it.

Investigators reportedly do not believe it was in a chair as he claimed.

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says the charge is bizarre and unbelievable.

He says Gard has worked for the All Blacks, and many other organisations, for a long time and is someone who is trusted and well-respected.

The Australian rugby union says they're relieved the investigation confirmed they played no part in the bugging and their boss Bill Pulver even fired a shot at the All Blacks, implying the New Zealanders discovery of the device and the subsequent delay in the reporting of the incident were aimed at disrupting the Wallabies before the match.

Gard will appear in court next month.

Gard, who works for Sydney security agency BGI, has remained tight-lipped about the saga, refusing to acknowledge he's been charged.