A former college rugby player has been banned from the game for four years, after admitting a breach of NZ Rugby's anti-doping policy while still at school.
An NZR judicial committee ruled the player had bought and used Clenbuterol in 2014, when he was chasing a First XV career.
Although the player insisted he took the substance to help him lose weight and had never undergone drug-testing education, the committee concluded he knew he was taking risks and understood that the anabolic steroid was banned.
The committee found inconsistencies in his evidence and determined the player knew Clenbuterol would make him stronger.
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At the time of his offence, he was a Year 12 student and a minor, so the player cannot be identified.
"While [the player] was youthful and had not received anti-doping education, he was aware that steroids were prohibited in sport, that many of the products on the price list contained in the email sent by the supplier were steroids and must, by his own admission, have known that there was a risk in taking such a product which may have health risks," said the decision.
The four-year ban was backdated to start on August 1, 2017.
Newshub.
