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SYDNEY, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- A 51-year-old Australian man was charged with public mischief by Australia' New South Wales police on Tuesday, accused of bugging the New Zealand Rugby team's Sydney hotel room in August 2016.
The bug was found in a meeting room at the Intercontinental Hotel ahead of the side's Bledisloe Cup match with Australia.
The alleged bugger was working as a security consultant at the time and rumors emerged that the incident may have been an inside job.
"The ARU and the Wallabies were never accused of any wrongdoing however it was still important that this matter reached a conclusion to provide complete reassurance to all fans that the organization and the team had no part in any of this," Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver.
"There may be some questions that remain but certainly today's news is welcome news that an individual has been called to account over this incident."
New Zealand Coach Steve Hansen came under fire for taking five days to report the incident, causing some suspicion among fans, however Hansen claimed he was waiting for New Zealand Rugby Union chief Steve Tew to return from the Rio Olympics so he could discuss the matter with him before going public.
The man will appear in Sydney local court in March.
