All Black faces lengthy ban
Lock could miss entire season but may escape penalty on compassionate grounds, writes Liam Napier.
All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu is believed to be taking time out from rugby after testing positive to a prohibited substance.
Tuipulotu missed the All Blacks’ end of season tour match in Paris last year, heading home for what coach Steve Hansen described as personal reasons.
Two months on Tuipulotu is still absent from his Super Rugby team the Blues – who played their first pre-season match against the Hurricanes in Auckland yesterday – for the same reasons.
It is believed Tuipulotu tested positive to a banned substance at some point last year and results were discovered in the lead-up to the final test of the season against France.
No punishment has yet been handed down as the process is thought to be ongoing, with suggestions the results of the ‘B’ sample are not yet known.
It is also understood circumstances surrounding the case are of a sensitive nature.
Tuipulotu is not thought to have used recreational drugs.
The 24-year-old is receiving advice from the New Zealand Rugby Players’ association, and other experts.
He could face a ban that would see him miss at least the entire 2017 season, but it’s believed he is continuing to investigate options and may yet escape penalty on compassionate grounds.
Tuipulotu, who is signed with NZ Rugby through to 2019, had double hip surgery in 2015 on a debilitating birth defect that saw him miss the World Cup.
Tuipulotu is seen as a future test star by the All Blacks, and is a major loss for the Blues.
When approached for comment, Tuipulotu’s agent, Ben Boyle, would only say it was a personal matter.
A NZ Rugby spokesperson said: ‘‘(Tuipulotu) is dealing with a personal issue and we’re not at liberty to discuss it any further.’’
Players’ Association boss Rob Nichol and Drug Free Sport NZ echoed the sentiments, saying they were not at liberty to discuss any details further.
World Rugby confirmed that it is automatically informed of positive tests, along with national anti-doping agencies and World Anti-Doping Agency.