Andrew Johnsen: Hits keep coming for NZR

BEHIND THE PLAY: NZR CEO Steve Tew has made handling controversies badly a habit. PHOTO/PHOTOSPORT.NZ

There's an old quote that says, "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement". The NZR must have knocked on the wrong door.

2016 was a watershed year for the NZR in the worst sense with multiple controversies involving Aaron Smith, the Chiefs and Losi Filipo, but it seems they aren't done yet.

All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu was allowed to leave the 2016 Northern Tour with the NZR citing "personal reasons" as the cause.

While there very well may have been personal issues, the NZR failed to disclose the fact that Tuipulotu tested positive for a banned substance.

Now you may be thinking "well that doesn't seem like a personal reason" and you'd be right.

It wasn't for a funeral or illness in his family and his partner wasn't giving birth - at least it hasn't been revealed to that tune. He submitted a positive drugs test.

Seems rather professional for a "personal reason".

Tuipulotu may or may not have personal issues, but he's not the one we should focus on.

It has emerged that CEO Steve Tew and the NZR knew about Tuipulotu's positive drug test back when it happened and, rather than disclose that, they said it was a personal issue.

HANDS-OFF: The handling of Patrick Tuipulotu's positive drug test by the NZR has again showed its unwillingness to properly deal with controversy.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

There's nothing quite like taking the public for a ride to get back in their good books.

NZR's reputation as a respectable organisation in the eyes of the public is free-falling.

Tew was criticised for his poor handling of the Losi Filipo case, only contacting the families of the victims following considerable pressure from the media and the public.

The NZR's managing of the Aaron Smith saga was palpable, allowing the story to continue for far too long.

And, of course, there was the Chiefs "Strippergate" case.

The NZR had an opportunity to prove it could deal with serious issues with a firm hand but decided to perpetuate the idea that rugby is above the law. No one was punished. Not one.

Does the NZR think the New Zealand public are dumb? Because that's how it comes across.

There's an underlying narrative that rugby players are holier than thou and they can basically do what they want.

The NZR had multiple opportunities to grab off-field drama by the scruff of the neck and say "This is not OK" but you have to worry about their refusal to take a stand.

What message is being sent to the public? That if you can score tries and put on big hits you're somehow exempt from common courtesy?

If that's what the NZR want to accomplish, they better start popping the champagne.

Steve Tew seems like the "cool" parent that lets his kids do whatever they want. He never punishes, rather he gives them a stern talking to without actually accomplishing anything remotely close to discipline.

If there are personal issues that Tuipulotu is working through, obviously we want him to work those out with the right support systems. However, should the B sample also come back positive, the NZR should deal with it swiftly and harshly.

But given what's transpired in the last 12 months, we shouldn't expect anything more than a quick chat in the back of Steve Tew's car.