Prime Minister John Key hopes the attack on French rugby player Mathieu Bastareaud in Wellington early on Sunday will not be sensationalised to New Zealand's detriment.

"From time to time you will get isolated incidents that reflect badly on either the public or on New Zealand potentially - I don't think we should blow this out of proportion," he told reporters on Monday.

"And as a general rule I think you've got to say rugby followers who come to New Zealand have a good experience... I'd hate to think that this would in any way tarnish our reputation given we've got the Rugby World Cup coming up in 2011."

The attack on Bastareaud, who has returned home suffering heavy facial bruising, happened about 3.30am on Sunday when he was returning to his team's hotel after a night on the town following his side's loss to the All Blacks.

Bastareaud told police he was attacked from behind, but his recollection was patchy.

The incident will be taken into account by World Cup organisers.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 general manager for tournament services Nigel Cass told NZPA they were working with police on the development of high-level security framework for the World Cup tournament.

"That involves a number of levels of risk assessment and the number of levels of planning - both around the tournament itself, but around the individual teams," he said.

"Clearly the events over the weekend are just another factor that we'll need to take into account in terms of that high level planning," he said.

"We'll be working very hard both to ensure the teams and the fans that come here from offshore are safe, but also to encourage New Zealanders to take their responsibilities as hosts very seriously."

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the attack was bitterly disappointing.

The protocol for the All Blacks was to stick together when they are to tour, Tew said.

The French team's management did not file a complaint to police, but the matter is being investigated.

Wellington area commander Inspector Pete Cowan said it was possible one of the attackers may have recorded the incident on a cellphone and police were monitoring the internet in case any footage surfaced.

"It was the night of a major rugby event and many people were in the city celebrating," Cowan said.

"There are people out there that must have seen what happened."

Assistant France coach Emile Ntamack said the 20-year-old Bastareaud was badly shaken.

He headed home on Monday, his injuries deemed too severe for him to be considered for Saturday's test against the Wallabies in Sydney.

Ntamack confirmed Bastareaud had been cleared of a fractured eye socket, but still had heavy bruising and several stitches to a cheek.

"There is bruising about the eye, but to be in a fight like that was a big fright for him. His mind is not ready to come back into the squad and play another game next Saturday," Ntamack told reporters in Sydney.

Ntamack, who tasted a series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand as a player in 1994, stressed the incident had not soured their view of the country.

"I say again, I don't want to see a problem between the French and New Zealand people. It was just unlucky.

"The same thing can happen in France, in Paris, different places in the world."

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