All Blacks: 'Unpatriotic' snapper barred

Photos / Getty Images

New Zealand-born photographer Scott Barbour is now out of the picture - the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has banned him from covering the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup build-up after he deliberately exposed the team's game plan.

The NZRU's official photo agency Getty Images, which employs Barbour as a freelancer, also angered All Blacks management after his image of Graham Henry holding the team's tactical moves was reproduced in Australia media outlets yesterday.

Getty Images is not allowed to send a replacement photographer to the team's remaining practice sessions in Melbourne ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations match.

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.

All Blacks team manager Darren Shand today confirmed Barbour was not welcome at team media opportunities and negotiations with Getty Images were continuing.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen described Barbour's actions as a "breach of trust" saying he broke an "unwritten rule" by photographing the blueprint displaying moves from lineouts and scrums.

Hansen maintained the leak would not jeopardise preparations or force a tactical review but that did not spare Christchurch-born Barbour from sanctions.

Shand 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.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew dismissed suggestions of legal action against Getty Images - and confirmed their existing commercial agreement would be honoured.

But he shared Shand's concerns.

"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."

Barbour, who started his career at the Christchurch Mail, won the prestigious award in the sport category at the World Photography Awards at Cannes, France, this year.

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

His actions have been described as unpatriotic on New Zealand-based websites, while in Australia the All Blacks' reaction has been used to further illustrate the team management's apparent over-sensitivity.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans sidestepped the topic but said with a smile: "I understand it was a Kiwi photographer, so I do find that amusing."

- NZPA