A rugby player is being investigated by the police over allegations that he had assaulted another person. The alleged incident took place in the hours after the touring South African team beat the Highlanders 26-22 in their Super Rugby match at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

Police are not talking about the allegation, apart from issuing a brief statement late this morning saying that there had been an "incident" early Sunday morning involving an 18-year-old female.

It is understood an 18-year-old University of Otago student was hit by the rugby player - one of many hopefuls for the Rugby World Cup 2011 team.

Friends of the girl at one of the University's halls of residence say they have been warned not to talk to reporters about the incident.