KEY POINTS:
Police say the key to finding a man accused of brutally raping a woman in central Wellington early on Sunday morning may lie in discovering which rugby team he or his friends belonged to.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Perry said the woman walked past a group of men in Courtenay Place about 5am on Sunday and, as she passed, one man spoke to her.
He then followed her into Tory Street, led her across the road into the Mitre 10 car park and raped her.
The woman told police she overheard someone in the group he was with discussing rugby practice prior to the attack.
Mr Perry said he would love to know what team or even grade they had been talking about.
"We don't know if it was that night or when it was. All we can say is we believe the offender and the group he was involved with are involved with playing rugby," he said.
Mr Perry said the group, who were Polynesians, would have talked about the assault with others. "We believe some of his mates may even have seen what's happened."
Mr Perry urged anyone who had heard information about the attack to contact Wellington CIB on 04 4963454.
The woman's injuries were excessive, with the doctor who examined her saying they were some of the most "brutal" she had seen.
The woman was treated at the hospital and was now being cared for by friends and family.
Mr Perry said she was incredibly angry and upset at what had happened to her.
The woman was wearing a multi-coloured dress and a black shawl, while the offender was described as Polynesian, in his early 20s, about 180cm tall and of solid build.
He had short frizzy hair and was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve top, which could be white.
- NZPA
