Steve Tew rules out legal action over plans pic

Graham Henry's game plan

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Steve Tew says there will be "no spiteful" reaction from the New Zealand Rugby Union after a photographer deliberately exposed the All Blacks' game plans this week.

Christchurch-born photographer Scott Barbour, who now lives in Melbourne, supplied Getty Images with close- up photos of tactics being carried by All Blacks coach Graham Henry at training.

The photos were printed in several Australian newspapers and on the internet yesterday and today.

Last night Tew, the NZRU chief executive, acknowledged the union had contacted the photo agency, which has a commercial agreement with the union and pay a licensing fee to be official photographers, to express their disappointment, but rejected reports they were talking to their lawyers.

"There is no suggestion we will take legal action. We will obligate our contract with them. There will be no spiteful reaction and people are not going to see a knee-jerk reaction."

However, it appears unlikely the NZRU will be keen to provide the agency with extra favours after this incident which has annoyed the All Blacks management. It could affect their relationship when the contract rolls over.

The NZRU has no power to deny Getty's access to Etihad Stadium as the match is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Rugby Union, though its representatives may be barred from covering next Saturday's trans-Tasman match in Christchurch.

Barbour, a freelance photographer based in Melbourne, won the prestigious award in the sport category at the World Photography Awards at Cannes, France, this year. He started his career as a teenage freelancer for the Christchurch Mail.

While Tew said last night there had been no discussions about revoking Barbour's media pass to cover future All Blacks trainings, team manager Darren Shand was today reported as confirming Barbour was no longer welcome at team media opportunities.

Shand today said photographers were not instructed on what to shoot at All Black sessions but it was "just commonsense" not to circulate the game plan.

"People's careers hinge on results," he said.

With Barbour denied access, Getty Images is not allowed to send a replacement photographer to the team's remaining practice sessions in Melbourne ahead of Saturday's match.

"This breach is disappointing but in the short term no harm has been done," Tew said. Although he added the incident was "not the end of the world", Tew said there was an element of trust when media attended trainings.

"We think it is important to be open. But at international level the margins that separate the teams are so marginal that the smallest thing can make a difference."

When contacted, Barbour asked "Is this about the picture?" before refusing to comment further.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans skirted the topic but quipped: "I understand it was a Kiwi photographer, so I do find that amusing."

-with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News