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France player Mathieu Bastareaud - Source: Newstalk ZB -
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The French rugby player who claimed he was attacked as he returned to his Wellington hotel may have been punched by a team-mate, according to French media.
Mathieu Bastareaud, 20, had said he was set on from behind by up to five men following the second rugby Test between France and the All Blacks in Wellington on June 20, leaving him with a serious eye injury.
But late last week he admitted he had lied about the incident, saying he had drunk too much after his team's 14-10 loss to the All Blacks and hit his head on a table back at the hotel.
French newspapers are now reporting that story was a also lie, saying Bastareaud's team-mates may have been involved in the incident.
"Drunk and aggressive, Bastareaud was reportedly calmed down by a fist from one of his team-mates," the daily Le Parisien reported.
French players Louis Picamoles and Fulgence Ouedraogo were named as being involved in the incident by news agency Agence France Presse.
Both denied the allegation.
An internal investigation by the team said Picamoles and Ouedraogo arrived back at the Holiday Inn at 5.22am on June 21 in a taxi with two women.
Bastareaud arrived at the same time in a second taxi.
Wellington police said there was a 25 minute gap between Bastareaud entering the hotel and going to his room, during which it was alleged one of his team-mates had punched him.
Picamoles and Bastareaud were among four injured players who flew home from the tour last Monday, while Ouedraogo stayed on to play against the Wallabies.
Bastareaud admitted fabricating the street attack in a statement on the website of his French club team, Stade Francais.
"I was ashamed and panicked and I thought I would be sent packing by the team management," the statement said.
"I told the original story because I thought it would be believed, but given the coverage it has subsequently received I thought it would be better to tell the truth."
Wellington police took credit for Bastareaud's admission, saying their inquiries began to unravel his version of events two days after the claim was made.
Bastareaud had not made a formal complaint but police had committed at least seven detectives to investigating the attack.
Inspector Pete Cowan told NZPA police had asked the New Zealand Rugby Football Union to contact their French counterparts to see if Bastareaud might reconsider his story after police found a lack of evidence to support his story.
Bastareaud now faces a French disciplinary commission which could lead to a fine or suspension from the team.
