New Zealand rugby has been rocked by the news that four of their rugby players have been banned for doping.
Only one of the quartet - Zoe Berry - has played at senior international level for New Zealand - she made one appearance for the Black Ferns against England in 2012. She has received a four-year ban, the same punishment as was handed out to New Zealand under-20 and sevens international Glen Robertson. Robertson briefly played Munster Schools' rugby with Crescent when on an exchange, per Today FM's Neil Treacy.
Troubling to see this. Glen Robertson, the player pictured, played Munster Schools rugby for Crescent in 2008. https://t.co/fEcZzzxHGf
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) January 10, 2018
Both have been banned for the possession and, in some cases, use or attempted use of Clenbuterol. Club rugby player Rhys Pedersen has been given a 21-month suspension for the same offence.
And added to all of that, Ben Qauqau-Dodds was charged with possession and use or attempted use of anabolic steroid methandienone.
All four players, who were playing club rugby at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to at least one of the alleged offences.
The charges were brought by Drug Free Sport New Zealand, which enforces World Anti-Doping Agency codes.
[BBC]
