The New Zealand rugby community remains tight lipped about Blues and All Black lock Patrick Tuipulotu's positive test for a banned substance.
Tuipulotu found out in November last year that he'd returned a positive drugs test and was sent home from the All Blacks end of year tour in Europe for what was described as "personal reasons" at the time.
In a statement on the weekend, New Zealand Rugby said it had strict confidentiality obligations surrounding the case and wouldn't offer any further comment.
At the Blues training session today, coach Tana Umaga said he couldn't reveal any more about the situation but did reveal he's awaiting instruction from NZR about replacement options for Tuipulotu for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
Umaga says the Blues, like every New Zealand Super Rugby team, follow the guidelines set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency and World Rugby strictly and all medication players take is logged with the team doctor.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu.