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Tuipulotu cleared of doping

New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu

New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been cleared of doping and is free to return to rugby immediately.

A doping control B sample from the 24-year-old tested by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited lab in the United States showed no presence of a banned substance.

Tuipulotu’s provisional suspension has been lifted and World Rugby will not be taking the matter any further.

“This has been a challenging and difficult time for me, my partner, family and team-mates, and I am grateful for their support,” the Blues lock said.

“I’m pleased the matter is now closed, with my reputation and integrity intact, and I look forward to getting back into training and an exciting year of rugby.”

New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Rob Nichol said the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) was investigating the reason for the difference in A and B samples.

“This is a matter that SMRTL is investigating and we look forward to their feedback,” he said.

“This result also reinforces the importance of the regulations and strict confidentiality obligations regarding players and their rights.

“Patrick was unfairly labelled as a result of the premature publicity of this matter. We trust that everyone now has a greater level of understanding in this regard.”

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Nickers 19 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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