All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been cleared of doping charges after a test of the 24-year-old’s B-Sample found no presence of banned substances.
Tuipulotu was briefly suspended after reports of a positive drug test surfaced on Sunday, and was said to be shocked by the results.
But a test of the Blues player’s control B-sample by a laboratory in Utah came up negative for any prohibited drugs.
The result gives Tuipulotu the green light to return to rugby immediately, having returned home from last year’s northern Test tour for personal reasons.
He has also been sidelined from the Blues’ pre-season training for the same professed reasons.
“I’m pleased the matter is now closed, with my reputation and integrity intact, and I look forward to getting back into training,” Tuipulotu said.