Rugby-France

NZ police investigate Bastareaud bashing

Article published on the 2009-06-22 Latest update 2009-06-22 11:52 TU

Mathieu Bastareaud was assaulted in Wellington after Saturday's defeat in the second test by New Zealand
(Photo: Stade Français)

Police in the New Zealand city of Wellington are investigating a late-night attack on French rugby player Mathieu Bastareaud which left him with a cut near his eye and bruises on his face.

The assault occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning when Bastareaud was returning to the team hotel.

The 20-year-old centre said he was attacked by at least two men but did not report the incident to police immediately because he could not identify them.

"He (Bastareaud) doesn't have a very good recollection of the events, he doesn't know how he got the two centimetre cut to his eye," said Wellington police chief Pete Cowan.

"At one stage he recalls someone videotaping the incident on his cell phone."

The New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said he was "bitterly disappointed" by the incident.

"I'm sure the whole country will join with me in extending an apology to the young man for being exposed to such thuggery," Tew said.

Bastareaud was a replacement in France’s 14-10 defeat and will now miss Saturday’s test against Australia in Sydney.

Sébastien Chabal (calf), Yannick Jauzion and Louis Picamoles (both neck injuries) and Thomas Domingo (sore ribs) will also miss that game.