Cheika: New Zealand apology not necessary

Australia coach Michael Cheika does not expect an apology after it came to light that the man charged for allegedly planting a listening device in New Zealand’s hotel meeting room was a “well-respected” employee of the All Blacks.

New South Wales police charged a 51-year-old man on Tuesday in connection with the incident, which involved the discovery of a device in a hotel room in the Double Bay area of Sydney last August.

It was the room in which the world champions had met in preparation to face Australia at ANZ Stadium, where they thrashed the Wallabies 42-8.

Some comments in the public domain had suggested Australia may be in some way implicated, but Tuesday’s development appears to render those claims unfounded.

However, Cheika does not believe anything further needs to be said in order to clear the air.

“An apology to us? No, I don’t think, I’m not expecting anything,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s necessary – they made their call and now that’s all there is to it.

“They made their play and the police have shown that to be a different outcome to what maybe that inference was, but I don’t expect anything like an apology or anything like that, no.”

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen was left shocked after discovering the identity of the accused, who was working as a security consultant at the time of the alleged offence.

Hansen said: “Frankly, the charge seems bizarre and unbelievable. It’s very hard to understand. 

“The charged man has worked for the All Blacks, and many other organisations, for a long time and is someone who is trusted and well-respected by us.

“However, as with all cases before the courts, there has to be a due process that takes place and it is not right or proper for us to make any further comment as this could jeopardise the outcome of the case.”

The accused will appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, March 21.