Neil Sorensen
The New Zealand Rugby Union said they had contracted a specialist monitoring service to ensure match-fixing does not taint All Blacks, Super Rugby or domestic matches.
It said the Swiss-based company would use its fraud detection system to monitor betting around New Zealand fixtures for the next 2 years.
NZRU general manager Neil Sorensen said there was no suggestion match-fixing was a problem in New Zealand, but there was no room for complacency.
“We want rugby to remain clean and this technology underlines our determination to ensure it stays that way,” he said.
“We’ve seen examples of match-fixing in other codes overseas so we need to take steps to ensure we remain vigilant to the possibility here.”
The system analyses betting patterns across 450 bookmakers globally looking for irregularities which could cast doubt on matches.
The New Zealand government last year made match-fixing a criminal offence which can attract a 7-year jail term as part of preparations to co-host the cricket World Cup, which is now under way.
Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent was banned for life last year after admitting to fixing, while Black Caps legend Chris Cairns has been charged with perjury in Britain in a case linked to fixing allegations, which he strongly denies.
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