All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu cleared of doping after ‘B’ sample test
The 24-year-old was sent home from New Zealand’s end of season tour in November after testing positive for an unspecified banned substance
All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been cleared of doping and a provisional suspension lifted, New Zealand Rugby said on Thursday.
Tuipulotu was sent home from the All Blacks’ end of season tour in November after testing positive for an unspecified banned substance, although the team said at the time he had departed for “personal reasons”.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed on Sunday after a local media report said the 24-year-old had tested positive for a specified substance, but said on Thursday he had been cleared following testing of his ‘B’ sample by an accredited laboratory in the United States.
“The test result is negative and, as a result, Patrick’s provisional suspension has been lifted with immediate effect,” NZR said. “He is now cleared to return to rugby immediately.
“World Rugby have been informed and has confirmed it will not be taking the matter any further.”
New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol said they were trying to determine why there was a discrepancy between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ samples tested by the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Salt Lake City.