22 June 2009 - The New Zealand Rugby Union is deeply disappointed at the alleged assault on a member of the French touring team in the early hours of Sunday morning in Wellington.

According to the French team reports, centre Mathieu Bastareaud was punched and knocked to the ground by a group of men while returning to the team hotel in Wellington early Sunday morning.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby, Neil Sorensen, said: "We have expressed our concern and support to the French rugby union and their team management on their departure from New Zealand and explained that this is not typical behaviour for the vast majority of New Zealanders or our rugby fans.

"This type of incident undermines our efforts to be welcoming and tolerant and harms our international reputation as good rugby hosts."