Carter, Rokocoko did not break doping rules, says club
Dan Carter and Joe Rokocoko have not broken any doping rules, say the former All Blacks’ French club Racing 92.
The club responded last night to a report that both players recorded “anomalies” in surprise drug tests, carried out on the eve of this year’s France Top 14 final.
Racing 92 said all medical procedures the players went through had followed national and international anti- doping rules.
The club said the treatment both players received was several days before the Top 14 final – but did not require a therapeutic usage exemption ( TUE).
The statement added that Carter, Rokocoko and a third player affected, Juan Imhoff, a former Pumas international, were “exemplary of what we expect in terms of the behaviour, generosity and ethics of our time”.
Earlier, Simon Porter, a player manager from Essentially Group, which represents Carter and Rokocoko, said the pair had the correct clearance for the use of prescribed medication.
“We have been aware of the issue for a few weeks. Our understanding and assurances we’ve had are all the would lead to a warning.
“To lose his position over a oneoff brain explosion is too harsh.
“If it was any other person in any other job pretty much in New Zealand, it’s unlikely that we would be looking at anything of this nature. It’s just that there are expectations on All Blacks, which are arguably out of proportion with the job that they actually do.
Meanwhile, the mystery woman involved in the incident is believed to be a professional in an office job who has a partner.
The woman, identified by a third documents around TUEs were in place.”
Porter said Carter was receiving medication, probably cortisone, for a calf injury that ultimately forced him off the field in the Heineken Cup final against English club Saracens in May. Rokocoko was recovering from a knee injury.
Paris- based L’Equipe newspaper, regarded as the sports bible of French sport, reported the surprise tests were held at the Camp Nou facility, home of the Barcelona football club, under an agreement between France and Spain. party, has taken down a post from a social media account outlining her intentions to go to the test against South Africa in Christchurch on September 17.
Other photos have remained online.
When approached by the Weekend Herald the woman denied she was with Smith.
“I have no involvement in this incident and therefore do not consent to being contacted or my name or personal details reported.”
The woman has since refused to take calls.
The newspaper said “the first analytical results have detected abnormalities in the urine of three players of Racing”.
Carter was man- of- the- match in Racing’s 29- 21 victory over Toulon while Rokocoko was also on the winning team on the wing and scored and brilliant chip and chase try in the first half.
The Toulon side featured former All Black Ma’a Nonu. Another former All Black Chris Masoe also turned out for Racing.
The French paper claimed the anomalies related to traces of “corticosteroids” which are different to steroids and designed to help reduce inflammation.
L’Equipe reported that Carter, Rokocoko and Imhoff did not have a TUE which would have allowed them to play if they were taking the corticosteroids for medical purposes.
“These traces of steroids, prohibited substances in competition without permission.”
Porter said both players were relatively relaxed because they believed the club doctor had filled in the required documents.
“This i s hard land that we have turned into our piece of paradise,” she said. “The thing we appreciate most is peace and quiet.”
The community found out about the development when Rowntree’s neighbour put the name of their road — Tuhirangi — into Google and he stumbled across a gun club website. It revealed ambitious plans for a $ 5 million to $ 6 million pistol and rifle range just over the fence.
To their surprise, when Rowntree and her neighbours rang the local authority, they discovered Auckland Council had already issued a certificate of compliance.
Auckland Council has confirmed the certificate of compliance means the club doesn’t have to apply for resource consent.
Rowntree said: “We were told the land was zoned rural and a range is permitted and supported by the Unitary Plan.”
Shooting club spokesman Raymond O’Brien said there was “no intent of secrecy. We’ve been quite open about it.”
O’Brien, who has competed for New Zealand in pistol shooting events, said: “We want to be good neighbours, very good neighbours.”
Rowntree however asked why neighbours weren’t extended the “common courtesy” of being told what was going on. They only found out last week. Documents show the application for compliance was lodged with the council on June 20.
“We had it on our list to talk to neighbours but just hadn’t got round to it,” O’Brien said.
Neighbour Kris Allen, who shares a fence line with the club, was upset by the council decision.
“I can’t let my kids [ ages 5 and 7] go down that side. I bought the farm so they could roam and explore the countryside.
“This is not countryside shooting, this i s special forces training for idiots. It’s not a sport — it’s learning how to take out humans,” he said.
But O’Brien said club members were responsible, law- abiding and safety conscious.
At the Vipassana retreat they’re talking double glazing and acceptance. Said Reynolds: “We try not to get antagonistic or agitated. That is part of our practice.”