The men who bashed and injured former Hawke's Bay Magpie and All Black Zac Guildford are "ratbags", says Hawke's Bay club rugby manager Cyril Whitburn.
The winger, 24, who is playing club rugby for French club Clermont Auvergne, and teammate and Welsh international Jonathan Davies were assaulted in an unprovoked attack.
Guildford had been out celebrating a win early on Sunday with his teammates when
he and Davies were set upon by three people in the centre of town. Guildford was kicked in the face when he fell to the ground. He was taken to hospital and is believed to have a broken jaw that could sideline him for up to a month..
The three assailants escaped and have yet to be identified.
Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical premier team manager Mr Whitburn said he was shocked to hear the news about their former club player.
"It's very concerning because Zac has got his contract over there and then something like this happens ... I feel sorry for him because he wants to get on with his life and start fresh over there."
Mr Whitburn said it was something modern-day sports athletes had to be aware of.
"They're just ratbags. I don't know why they'd want to do that sort of thing.
"It's just disappointing those people are out there. You feel sorry for people like Zac who can't go anywhere, without someone having a go at them," he said.
Guildford's grandmother June Burt was upset to hear he had been attacked in France but said her grandson was a different man after putting his troubles behind him.
"Him and his team went down and got a meal and got attacked ... and he's off rugby for a month," she said from Featherston yesterday.
Guildford posted on his Twitter account about the incident: "I'm grateful to escape with minor injuries."
He tweeted he thought his head was "mistaken for a soccer ball".
"Bit of bad luck but the ASM club and friends have been great support.
"A bit sore and bruised around my face but that's life. As well as being angry for what happened, I'm grateful to escape with minor injuries."
Guildford, signed a two-year contract with the 2013 European Cup finalists with the option for another year.
- AAP, Additional reporting Nikki Papatsumous, APNZ