HAND OVER THE NAMES

Anti-drugs authorities offer deal to reduce playing ban for steroid supplier in exchange for naming rugby stars. Audrey Malone investigates.

NEWZealand anti-doping authorities are negotiating with rugby’s former steroids supplier to the stars: if he names names, they could reduce his six-year playing ban.

Andrew Burne is living in Brisbane after being busted in a high-profile police inquiry in Wellington, where he played club rugby and trained with some of those who are now among rugby’s biggest names.

In 2011 Burne, then 19, started shooting steroids into his arms to beef up for premier grade rugby.

He bought steroids for himself and some of his rugby playing mates, to help speed up the process of adding muscle to their frames.

But in 2013 police raided him home – he was caught with four bottles of Dianabol – an anabolic steroid. Burne was banned in 2016 for taking and trafficking steroids (though he says he never profited).

‘‘They made an example of me. I mean it was all good, it bought a bit of reality of doing that kind of thing to the game. I guess it tightened the screws. I mean it wasn’t a good thing for me as a person, but if you do the crime, you do the time,’’ Burne says.

When police arrested him they pulled all phone contacts and messages ranging from grassroots players right up to big names. All that information was handed over to anti-doping agency Drugfree Sport NZ.

At his hearing with New Zealand Rugby in December 2015, Drugfree stated there were five rugby players using steroids. Burne denied that.

This year he approached Drugfree Sport to offer to help with education campaigns about the dangers of sports doping; in exchange, he pleaded with them to reduce his lengthy ban.

But instead, Drugfree investigators have discussed with him a deal that would require him to identify the rugby players he’d supplied drugs. Some, he says, have gone on to play professionally; one to represent New Zealand.

In an email this week, Drugfree Sport investigations director Jude Ellis told Burne: ‘‘Further to our conversation on substantial assistance ... you received a fairly hefty ban under the rules and I appreciate that you are probably missing rugby and are keen to play again sooner rather than later.’’

She provided him information on how Drugfree Sport could ask the World Anti-Doping Agency to reduce his ban, if he provided ‘‘substantial assistance’’ with their inquiries under Rule 10.6.1. That is the rule under which a drug cheat can be rewarded for providing evidence that leads to another person being found guilty of sports doping.

‘‘We have not previously dealt with this rule directly and it is a little complex, so if you are serious about this we will need to chat some more so you are clear on what would be required,’’ Ellis

I’m not saying what I did was right. In fact I get why they had to make an example of me to keep that s--- out of the game.’ ANDREW BURNE

advised.

But Burne says he is not interested in destroying the careers of more rugby players: he is more interested in stopping young players getting on drugs in the first place.

He wants to make amends the game through raising awareness of drug use, and depression. And he wants to play rugby again. He doesn’t want to name names.

‘‘What are they even going to do? Where will it get me? And who cares? Isn’t it better that we try