The All Blacks’ security expert, Adrian Gard, was brought before the court to answer charges of public mischief related to a listening device found in the All Blacks Sydney hotel room last year.
We always say that mischief is best kept as the private variety and with hacking, Wiki Leaks, and all manner of electronic mischief creating astounding levels of paranoia the world over, the allegations against security guard Gard are not the sort of thing that will be treated lightly.
Gard works for a security firm known as Bodyguards International, was hauled into Sydney’s Waverly Local Court on a charge of false misrepresentation (much more serious than true misrepresentation, ignoring the double negative of false misrepresentation), and entered a not guilty plea.
Gard has an impressive resume spanning 30 years’ in the security industry, guarding some highly notable figures, including Bill Clinton, Tiger Woods and Oprah Winfrey.
He has served in some capacity with the All Blacks for the past 10 years.
The listening device was found stashed in a chair at the hotel the All Blacks were occupying prior to a Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies.
All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen supported Gard, saying he had the trust of the All Blacks organisation and had no possible motive to turn mole on his employers.