Police are treating an alleged assault against a French rugby player as genuine, despite a lack of witnesses and speculation it could be fabricated.
Centre Mathieu Bastareaud has returned to France after the alleged attack in Wellington on Sunday morning left him with heavy bruising and several stitches in his head.
When asked about speculation that the alleged assault could be fabricated, Inspector Peter Cowan said police were treating the assault as serious.
"We're proceeding with this investigation as it is genuine and we're appealing for witnesses who may have seen this incident take place between 3.00 and 5.30 on Sunday morning," Mr Cowan said.
Asked if any of those witnesses had come forward, Mr Cowan said they had not.
"It's not unusual, bearing in mind a lot of people don't read the newspapers and listen to the radio," Mr Cowan said.
He said police have not received any information to suggest that the allegation was not legitimate.
When asked on Radio New Zealand earlier about speculation the story was not legitimate, Mr Cowan declined to comment.
"At this point in time it is very early in our investigation, so we're still analysing a lot of the evidence, so I'll be better placed in the next hour or so to comment on that," he told the broadcaster.
Mr Cowan last night told the Herald he had told investigators to give priority to the Sunday morning incident.
"I've said I want a thorough analysis of the evidence that we've got by Wednesday.
"That means all the witnesses we have got, and obviously that's the hotel staff, we've got inquiries to make with the inner-city bar that the player was at and also obviously taxi drivers.
"So I want that all covered off and to me by Wednesday with some analysis about where we take this matter.
He confirmed no witnesses had come forward to substantiate the alleged attack outside the Holiday Inn on Featherston St, in the central city.
"We haven't received any calls from people who saw the incident, no."
However, police believe someone may have recorded it on a cellphone, and were yesterday monitoring the internet for footage.
French assistant coach Emilie Ntamack said Bastareaud had suffered heavy bruising and required several stitches to the cheek. Contrary to earlier reports, his eye socket was not broken.
Ntamack said the the 20-year-old dreadlocked centre, who is of West Indian origin, was wearing his French blazer when confronted by a group of people about 3.30am on Sunday.
He did not think the attack was racially motivated.
"It was just bad luck for him. It was late at night, he came back to the hotel and there was a group of maybe five people. I think they were drunk."
Bastareaud's injuries have meant an early flight home. He will miss the French test against the Wallabies this weekend.
It is understood police spoke to Bastareaud yesterday, but his recollection of the incident was hazy.
Mr Cowan said although police had no eyewitness accounts, they were following a number of strong lines of inquiry.
He stressed it was still early days, as police were only alerted to the incident yesterday morning.
"So we've sort of started off on the back foot unfortunately so ... but that's not to say ... I've indicated to the investigating team that I want answers by at least Wednesday."
Mr Cowan said a number of hotel staff had been interviewed - none of whom saw the alleged attack - but police were yet to talk to nightshift staff.
Police were particularly interested in speaking to the driver of a car who pulled over near the assault as it happened and appeared to make a cellphone call before driving off again, he said.
Meanwhile Rugby World Cup organisers have said they will take the incident into account when working out security measures for the 2011 tournament.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 general manager for tournament services Nigel Cass said yesterday that they were working with police on developing a high-level security framework for the event.
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF
Anyone with information on the alleged assault should contact Wellington police on 04-381-2000
