A Manawatu women’s rugby player who tested positive for methamphetamine has been banned for two years.
Aroha Nuku tested positive for the drug after providing a urine sample following the Manawatu Cyclones' Farah Palmer Cup match with Waikato last September.
A testing of the 'B Sample' confirmed the positive result.
Nuku explained to the New Zealand Rugby Judicial Committee that she had taken a white powder she believed to be Ritalin in order to stay awake while driving home late one night from rugby training.
Drug Free Sport New Zealand chief executive Nick Paterson said Nuku’s decision was reckless with Ritalin itself also a prohibited substance in sport.
"Ms Nuku received anti-doping education at the beginning of the 2017 rugby season and a range of 2017 clean sport collateral was available at the education seminar.
"We are disappointed that she took the white powder she was offered, especially as she would have been aware of the risks involved," Paterson said.
"This is yet another cautionary tale for other athletes and their support personnel to be extremely mindful of what substances they are taking. Athletes are 100 percent responsible for what they put into their bodies."
Methamphetamine and amphetamine are non-specified substances prohibited in-competition under S6a (Stimulants) of the Prohibited List 2017.
Nuku’s two-year ban has been backdated to start 22 September 2017.
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