All Blacks, IRB reject French dope story

The All Blacks last night rejected a French news report that a player had tested positive for cannabis use on New Zealand's 2006 year-end tour. The claim was also rejected by International Rugby Board spokesman Greg Thomas.

French weekly newspaper Midi Olympique reported that an unnamed All Black had tested positive for cannabis after the test match against France in Paris in November.

But All Blacks manager Darren Shand said last night that neither the New Zealand Rugby Union nor the All Blacks management were aware of any player testing positive for cannabis.

The Rugby-Planet website reported that, according to Midi Olympique, the dossier for the test was with the IRB, which was said to be awaiting confirmation that the cannabis was medically prescribed for therapeutic reasons.

Midi Olympique has not revealed its source.