There’s Been A Huge Twist In The All Black Testing Positive For Steroid Use Case

All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu was suspended on Sunday following a positive drugs test back in November.

The Auckland Blues star has not been seen on the pitch since November, after returning home early from the Northern Hemisphere tour, amid what was described at the time as an “ongoing personal matter”.

Tuipulotu toured the Northern Hemisphere with the All Blacks last November, starting against Ireland in Chicago and then against Italy in Rome.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) confirmed on Sunday that they were notified of a positive test in November and the 24-year-old Tuipulotu was “shocked” by the result.

“A doping control sample provided by Patrick Tuipulotu had, reportedly, revealed the presence of a specified substance listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2016 prohibited list,” the joint statement read.

“NZR and NZRPA can confirm that Patrick was shocked by the test result and is working hard to identify the source of the specified substance.

“In accordance with World Rugby Anti-Doping regulations, Patrick remains provisionally suspended pending resolution of this matter.”

It’s now emerged however, after a test of Tuipulotu’s B sample, the lock has been completely cleared of wrong-doing. A World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory – Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City, has confirmed no presence of a prohibited substances.

It look like Tuipulotu can now get back to doing what he does best, and that’s play rugby.