Tuipulotu: The stress, the shock, the relief
Relief is the overriding emotion as Patrick Tuipulotu returns to training with the Blues after being cleared of a doping infringement.
Three months after being initially suspended, Tuipulotu joined his Blues team-mates at training in Auckland yesterday, but not before fronting media for the first time over the stressful scenario that has put his life on hold.
Tuipulotu’s A sample tested positive for a specified substance after the All Blacks test against Ireland on November 5, and he was subsequently suspended from taking part in all rugby. On Thursday it emerged his B-sample results had cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The All Blacks lock left many questions unanswered but said his team, including lawyers and representatives from New Zealand Rugby, the Players’ Association, and the Blues, continued to investigate the messy process. He would not comment on the alleged substance or whether he would press for compensation or an apology.
But he repeatedly emphasised the stress it had caused him and his family.
‘‘I’m just relieved, it has been tough on the family who have been very supportive,’’ he said.
Tuipulotu said he was ‘‘shocked’’ when notified by the All Blacks management on last year’s end of year tour.
The All Blacks sent him home for personal reasons, though never revealed publicly why.
‘‘It was very stressful. The first couple of weeks I definitely lost sleep and had to deal with my family and partner,’’ he said. ‘‘They were really supportive and got me through to where I am now.
‘‘I’m not one to be in the limelight much ... not so much damage, but it has taken so much time and stressed me and my family.’’
The 24-year-old has been on an individual training programme to keep him ready for a return to action with the Blues if he was cleared. Now that’s happened, he’s eager to crack into gear.
‘‘It’s been hard watching the Blues train,’’ he admitted. ‘‘It was an eye opener for me in a lot of aspects outside of rugby. I’ll take a lot from this. ‘‘
Blues coach Tana Umaga indicated Tuipulotu would be eased back into contact.
‘‘We don’t expect him to jump straight in there and be up to speed,’’ Umaga said. ‘‘He’s been waiting for this moment and so have we. We’re just happy to have him back where he should be. We’ve got total faith in Patrick and what he does.’’
Umaga was reluctant to criticise the testing process
‘‘We have to have faith when these things happen. We need a process in sport in general. It’s long and lengthy and stressful times and you work around that to support Patrick.’’
While Tuipulotu is in the clear, questions remain about how the discrepancy between his two samples came about.
World Anti-doping Agency (Wada) and Six Nations Rugby have launched separate investigations into the case.
In a statement, Wada said it would now investigate the matter with the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in the US, which performed the analysis.
‘‘A sample collected from New Zealand player, Patrick Tuipulotu, immediately after that match was sent to the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Salt Lake City for analysis,’’ the Wada statement said.
‘‘SMRTL reported the presence of a specified substance in Mr Tuipulotu’s A sample and so, on 16 November 2016, after conducting the necessary review and notification procedures, SNRL provisionally suspended Mr Tuipulotu, as required under World Rugby Regulation 21. ‘‘Mr Tuipulotu subsequently requested that his B sample be analysed. SMRTL reported on 7 February 2017 that the B sample analysis did not confirm the A sample analysis.
‘‘Accordingly, and again as required by World Rugby Regulation 21, SNRL confirmed to Mr Tuipulotu that the entire test is considered negative and that his provisional suspension has been lifted with immediate effect.
‘‘SMRTL is currently investigating the reason for the discrepancy between Mr Tuipulotu’s A and B samples.’’
Six Nations Rugby, who conducted the anti-doping testing, mirrored the Wada statement in their first public comment on the matter, only adding detail around the timing of the testing:
‘‘SMRTL reported on 7 February 2017 that the B sample analysis did not confirm the A sample analysis. Accordingly, and again as required by World Rugby Regulation 21, SNRL confirmed to Mr Tuipulotu that the entire test is considered negative and that his provisional suspension has been lifted with immediate effect. SMRTL is currently investigating the reason for the discrepancy between Mr Tuipulotu’s A and B samples.’’