Bledisoe I: Will it be another Austrailure? (probably)

[Spy]

Thanks for that update, Pars. It seems the implication is that it was planted by the guy that found it? Investigators would have been wise to consider the "He who smelt it dealt it" principle of fart theory.

I guess there's a motive there, in terms of promoting the necessity of his line of business to sports teams and corporates. Bloody idiot, if proven/true.

[rowan]

As far as the bugging thing goes, I suspect that was more likely to have been the media than anyone else. Rugby's answer to the British phone-hacking scandal perhaps? Or was it Kiwileaks?

The latest on that:

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/02/07 ... ing-device

Should've guessed!

[rowan]

Latest development in the bugging fiasco . . .

A security consultant for the New Zealand All Blacks has denied making a false statement to police after a listening device was found in a meeting room at the team's hotel in Sydney before a rugby test against Australia last August.

Adrian Gard, a 51-year-old Australian who has done work for the All Blacks for more than 10 years, appeared in the Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, where he formally denied a charge of false misrepresentation resulting in a police investigation. The case was adjourned until May 2.

The charge does not imply Gard placed the listening device but he is alleged to have misled police during their investigation.

The device was discovered in a chair in the team room five days before All Blacks officials made it public, on the morning of the test against Australia. The New Zealanders had a 42-8 win over an Australian team angered by the timing of the announcement.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has described the charge as "bizarre and unbelievable," adding that Gard "is someone who is trusted and well-respected by us."

The Australian Rugby Union said it had no involvement in the placement of the listening device.

"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," ARU chairman Bill Pulver said after police charged Gard last month.

"Clearly the media attention which resulted from it was a distraction that neither team needed on the morning of a very important test match."



http://www.sobserver.ws/en/21_03_2017/r ... g-case.htm

[Lizard]

Are there lines between which we are supposed to be reading? Did this guy delay reporting the discovery?

[rowan]

It was probably standard procedure for police to resease this information to the public a few days after the fact, once its validity could be confirmed, and that this happened to be on game day was purely coincidence. It's not the job of either the police or the press to concern themselves with player distractions.

[Spy]

So the security guy has been found not guilty..

Charge not proven, at any rate. No other suspects being sought. Seems likely that this bru-haha would have affected Adrian Gard's business, which is a terrible shame if he genuinely is innocent.

A curious coincidence that the verdict is released in the immediate leadup to a Bledisloe Cup test.