Rugby terror stunt blasted

Waikato Stadium bosses insist the venue's security is not in question for next year's Rugby World Cup despite an embarrassing stunt in which a journalist claims to have carried a disarmed detonator and fake bomb into last week's Super 14 game.

But they are worried the publicity has damaged the stadium's reputation by creating an impression security is not up to scratch.

And Police Minister Judith Collins, who called the action "insane", warned if the fake bombs had been discovered, it is likely the game would have been called off. She said that could have caused panic in the stadium.

Hamilton City Council criticised the Sunday Star-Times stunt by reporter Jonathan Marshall, believed to have been an effort to test security for the World Cup, as irresponsible and disingenuous. The newspaper carried out the same stunt during last Saturday's Crusaders-Blues clash at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The council, which employs security for Waikato Stadium, said the argument it was a test of security was completely spurious because the city was not in Rugby World Cup mode.

"It's just creating a situation that is totally false and ridiculous in a New Zealand context," a council spokesperson said.

But security was tighter for last night's Chiefs-Crusaders game, with many fans having their bags searched both at the gate and inside the ground, while a Waikato Times photographer's bags were also thoroughly searched.

The bogus terrorism stunt happened during last week's Friday night Chiefs Super 14 game against the Reds.

Security staff at the ground do not routinely check for bombs, though bags are searched, and security on the night was focused on Super 14 needs.

In last Friday's stunt Marshall made it into the player's tunnel and is believed to have got close to corporate hospitality suites, but was ejected from the restricted areas because he did not have correct accreditation.

The council spokesperson admitted the incident had embarrassed the council but pointed out it had wider ramifications.

"We're angry that the reputation of the stadium has been put at risk, that potentially people's lives were put at risk by this action because who knows what could have happened if we'd had to do a stadium clear, and the fact that New Zealand's reputation is damaged internationally."

The council had consulted police, Waikato Rugby Union, Canterbury Rugby Union and Rugby World Cup organisers over the security breach.

Even at the Rugby World Cup, security was unlikely to include "pat downs", metal detectors and sniffer dogs as a result of the incident.

Council events facilities manager Olly Te Ua called the actions "totally irresponsible".

"The individual in question doesn't have the cognisance of what he's dealing with, the enormity of what he's done and the ramifications not just for us... it's a silly act," Mr Te Ua said.

Yesterday Ms Collins said if the fake bombs had been discovered, the games would likely have been called off.

"There could have been panic in the stadiums, people could well have been evacuated, and whenever you have a large crowd, people could have been injured."

Sunday Star-Times managing editor Mitchell Murphy said Ms Collins "grossly" overstated the paper's actions.

The investigation was a matter of significant public interest which was well planned and carefully considered, he said. While the reporter did carry fake explosives he also carried a letter outlining the investigation in case he was stopped.

- © Fairfax NZ News