New Zealand media have accused a French player of head-butting and eye gouging All Black captain Richie McCaw in the Rugby World Cup final.

Veteran rugby commentator Keith Quinn said that he had heard from “within the New Zealand camp” that the teams did not embrace after the final due to the incident.

Initial reports out of New Zealand suggested that it was International Rugby Board player of the year and French captain Thierry Dusautoir who was the guilty party but video evidence appears to show Aurelien Rougerie as the offender.

Quinn added that the All Blacks made “little or no mention” of the French team in post-match speeches due to the incident which took place in the 77th minute of the world cup final.

“It was clearly seen on TV. McCaw needed attention from medical staff,” he told Radio New Zealand.

“Well I thought, Dusautoir, (IRB) player of the year, he was right there.”

“You can’t see whether he’s involved but he’s right there and he made no gesture of apology and anything, or concern to McCaw. So there you go, I don’t know,” he told the NZ Herald.

“I think more needs to be investigated about the incident as, of course, the illustrious award of player of the year surely involves elements of fair play.”

“The only video that I’ve seen is the same as what you could see if you were watching match coverage,” added Quinn.

“But I made the remark it looked like eye-gouging …. and had confirmation from a source, which I’m saying is close to the New Zealand team, that eye-gouging took place.

“Then this morning when I went on National Radio I just said more or less in a longer version what I’ve said to you.”

Earlier in the match McCaw’s knee made contact with Morgan Parra’s head in a tackle but Quinn would not be drawn on whether the alleged gouging was payback for McCaw being responsible for Parra leaving the field following the head knock.

“I’ve no idea about that one. The bit I’m concerned about was the eye-gouging late in the game.”

“It’s got no connection, you can draw your own conclusions about that particular incident.”

The IRB have confirmed that the citing period after a match has already expired and no complaints were made after the final.

Meanwhile, McCaw downplayed the eye-gouging reports but did not deny it happened late in the game.

“I got a poke in the eye but I don’t know if there was was any intent,” he said as the All Blacks victory road show moved to earthquake-stricken Christchurch.