All Blacks bugging scandal: World media reacts

A sophisticated listening device was discovered in the All Blacks' team room in their hotel ahead of tonight's test against the Wallabies. The device - the sort used by law enforcement and spying agencies - had been planted in a chair in the Sydney hotel where the team have been staying since Sunday, the Herald has learned.

Revelations that a sophisticated bugging device was found in the All Blacks' team room at their Sydney hotel are creating shockwaves around the world.

The Herald exclusively revealed that a device like those used by law enforcement and spying agencies had been planted in a chair in the hotel where the team have been staying since Sunday as they prepare for tonight's Bledisloe Cup test.

Australian police have been alerted and the hotel - the InterContinental in Double Bay - has launched its own investigation.

Fox Sports Australia called the news "a bombshell'' before tonight's Bledisloe Cup opener.

A bombshell before tonight's Bledisloe Cup opener. A report from New Zealand has revealed that the All Blacks' Sydney hotel was bugged.

Posted by FOX Sports Australia on Friday, 19 August 2016

The story has also been picked up by the BBC, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 News and Herald Sun.

Fans have been calling the incident a sad thing to happen to international rugby, while others are calling it desperate.

One posted on Facebook: "Like, what? C'mon now, that's a shame.''

Another said: "Unbelievable, how low can you get".

So if the All Blacks lose tonight. It's not because we were the better team, but becauss their room was bugged 😂 #BledisloeCup

— Brent Ford (@BrentFord26) August 19, 2016

Imagine being the spies and it's just Hansen and Beaudy Barrett laughing about how much the All Blacks will win by #SpyGate #AllBlacks

— Matt Hall-Smith (@MattHallSmith21) August 19, 2016