Rugby-Bastareaud faces inquiry after lying over attack

* France centre Bastareaud admits he lied about attack

* NZ police say he confessed after confronted with evidence

* French federation launches disciplinary inquiry

By Adrian Bathgate

WELLINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) - France centre Mathieu Bastareaud admitted lying about a claim of being attacked only after being confronted with evidence refuting the story, New Zealand media reported on Friday.

Bastareaud, who is facing disciplinary sanctions, claimed he had been attacked by up to five people as he returned to the team hotel early last Sunday following a 14-10 loss to New Zealand in Wellington.

The 20-year-old player admitted he had fallen in his hotel room after coming back drunk only after being told of CCTV footage which showed him showing him returning uninjured early Sunday morning, Wellington area commander Inspector Peter Cowan told Radio New Zealand.

"Mr Bastareaud hasn't come out and apologised out of the goodness of his heart, this has been a strategy from us," Cowan said.

The French Rugby Federation earlier said it would begin an inquiry into the matter, for which Bastareaud was sent home early from the team's tour of New Zealand and Australia.