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Kiwi Aroha Nuku cops doping ban

By Online Editors

Manawatu representative Aroha Nuku has been banned from all rugby for two years after admitting a breach of New Zealand Rugby’s Anti-Doping Rules.

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A judicial committee recently heard the case against Nuku, the result of a failed drug test taken after she played for the Manawatu Cyclones in their Round 4 match of the Farah Palmer Cup – the highest level of women’s domestic rugby in New Zealand – on 22 September last year.

That test later revealed that both her A and B samples were positive for Methamphetamine and D-amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine.

Nuku claimed she took what she believed was Ritalin to help keep her awake on a 2.5 hour drive home to Hawera after training in Palmerston North. Her claims were supported by a teammate who also gave evidence at the hearing.

Drug Free Sport NZ noted in the hearing that Nuku had attended a mandatory seminar earlier that season and on the night she was drug tested, she declared the use of two supplements and hay fever tablets, but did not declare the use of Ritalin earlier that week.

The judicial committee found that despite some misgivings, they accepted Nuku’s evidence about how the banned substances came to be present in the drug test. Because methamphetamine was not a specified substance and only prohibited in-competition, its use out-of-competition and in a context to keep awake while driving, could not be considered intentional under the provisions of the NZR’s Anti-Doping Rules and accordingly a two-year suspension was imposed.

Nuku’s suspension from all rugby for two years was backdated to begin from 22 September 2017.

In other news:

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Trevor 30 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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