Vodafone sorry over streaking sponsorship

VODAFONE Group apologised yesterday for unwittingly encouraging two streakers to run into the middle of a Tri-nations rugby match wearing nothing but the phone company's logo.

Vodafone, sponsor of the Australian Wallabies rugby team, said it sanctioned plans for a cheeky public relations stunt ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand. But the company said it did not know the two men would do anything illegal.

Vodafone’s Australian managing director Grahame Maher said he took a call from “a guy called Brett” last week who asked if the company would back a publicity stunt, but did not give details.