Friday 7 October 2016 11:05, UK
Dan Carter's agent has rejected any implication his client has been involved in doping after a report in France claimed he - and Joe Rokocoko - had tested positive for steroids.
L'Equipe reported late on Thursday that the former New Zealand internationals failed a drug test after their club Racing 92 beat Toulon in the French Top 14 final in Barcelona on June 24.
Their Argentine team-mate Juan Imhoff was also involved in the operation carried out by French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), according to the paper.
However, Carter's management company, Essentially Group, which also represents Rokocoko, says it is "relaxed" about the situation because Racing's club doctor had filled in all the required documents.
Simon Porter, an Auckland-based player agent with the group, said this meant they had a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) allowing them to use the corticosteroid medication.
"We were reassured that there was nothing to worry about, that there was no wrongdoing, that there was no case to answer for," he told TVNZ.
"It's just a therapeutic use, cortisone is a common drug used to treat pain and inflammation."
Porter added that the players had been "blindsided" by the news being leaked.
"The boys had been told that they had nothing to worry about. They're not enjoying the attention but they're pretty relaxed about it all because they're confident that everything is in order and everything is fine," he said.
Fly-half Carter, who has played 112 Tests for New Zealand, was recovering from a calf injury ahead of the Top 14 final, while Rokocoko, a winger who represented New Zealand 68 times, had a knee problem.
Corticosteroids are generally used to reduce inflammation.
L'Equipe said that once alerted by the AFLD, the French Rugby Federation had 40 days to investigate the trio, who all played major roles in Racing's upset 29-21 win over Toulon.
If the probe fails to find a medical reason for the corticosteroid use, then they could face disciplinary action.
However, Racing's statement in response to the story appeared to indicate TUEs were not in place, with the club confident they were not required.
The statement read: "All the medical acts carried out on the players cited by the media have been in total respect of national and international anti-doping rules, as well as in the sense of administrative and medical procedures.
"It is treatment administered in an authorised manner, provided in response to proven pathologies, several days before the Top 14 final and not needing a TUE.
"Racing 92 will collaborate with all the relevant medical investigative authorities in order for the debate to subside and so everyone is given a full understanding.
"All the medical protocols are clear. Transparency will be total. We're on the side of those who fight for a clean and respectful sport.
"Juan Imhoff, Joe Rokocoko and Dan Carter are everyday examples of behaviour, generosity and ethics."
