New Zealand Rugby has asked Australian police to investigate a possible security breach after a listening device was discovered in the team meeting room of their Sydney hotel.
The device was discovered in the cushion of a chair in the room where the players meet with coaching staff to discuss tactics for their matches.
The world champions play Australia in the opening Rugby Championship clash in Sydney later today.
"A listening device was found in a meeting room this week during a routine security check," NZR chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
"The hotel immediately launched an investigation, we have informed the Australian Rugby Union, and jointly we have now decided to hand over the investigation to the Australian police."
The New Zealand Herald newspaper said the device had been described as "sophisticated" and significant effort had been made to conceal it within the chair's cushion.
The device was discovered after the All Blacks team management asked their security officials to scan the room.
