Rugby: Schoolboy players to be tested for drugs in NZ first

Reuben Thorne coaches Christ's College First XV in Christchurch. Photo / photosport.nz

Former All Blacks captain and current Christ's College coach Reuben Thorne has backed the idea of schoolboy rugby players being randomly drug tested.

Drugfree Sport New Zealand confirmed earlier today that players at the first XV finals series in Palmerston North during September will become the first pupils to be tested in this country.

The pioneering move has been made after concerns about players' use of supplements, and whether banned substances are being used in the ambition to reach the professional ranks.

Consent from parents is not required because the tournament is held under the auspices of New Zealand Rugby who are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

School-age athletes have long been tested by DFSNZ in other sporting codes, such as Olympic or Paralympic events, and Thorne for one expressed his support for the idea.

"I've got no issue with it," the second-year coach told Fairfax. "I'm 100 per cent confident that our boys are all good and clean.

"It wouldn't concern us but that's only our region. I think the Crusaders region in general, the teams that we play against, I wouldn't think there are any players that would be too concerned about it either.

"I'm not sure what it's like further north, if there is any more pressure on the boys in Auckland or Waikato. But certainly down here I don't think there is anyone dabbling in anything they shouldn't be."

The tests will only be for a limited number of substances. The idea will be to catch those cheating to reach the top level rather than, for example, someone taking medicine to help with an ailment like asthma.

DFSNZ launched a workshop called Good Clean Sport Use in February to help schools with any issues surrounding adherence to the WADA code.

Scott Tibbutt, the chief operating officer at DFSNZ, told TVNZ the pressure on first 15 teams around the country is massive.

"We know that they're taking large amounts of supplements, and things like that, which we know a young child doesn't need to be taking.

"There is that fear that there may be some intentional doping going on. We're not going to know until we do this testing."

Auckland Grammar School headmaster Tim O'Connor told the Herald he had concerns over the timeframe for consultation.

"I would have liked to have seen a group educationalists involved in the decision-making around this and consider it from all angles.

"The other issue is around consent. While the NZSSSC [the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council is suggesting the headmaster can sign off on consent, I personally would feel very uncomfortable with that.

"There is some invasion of privacy that comes with the process. If I were the parent of an amateur sportsman, I would like some reassurance for my teenage son that there would be some respect and care around the process."

O'Connor said he had not had time to consult with parents over the decision.

"We've only just been given the information as to what will be occurring. I think the [NZSSSC] rushed it.

"To introduce drug testing in a school environment is quite different from a professional environment."

"That doesn't mean we want to protect anyone. The concept of Drug Free Sport is one we fully support, and the integrity and spirit of sport at all levels cannot be compromised."