"Doping" in rugby?
Moderator: moderators
"Doping" in rugby?
While digesting the whole Lance Armstrong saga, Ive been wondering what kind of anti-doping controls do they have in rugby? Do they have any at all? Who is the authority in control of them?
I spose I'm just wondering if one day we'll be reading headlines about rugby player x, and their use of performance enhancing drugs throughout their career.
I spose I'm just wondering if one day we'll be reading headlines about rugby player x, and their use of performance enhancing drugs throughout their career.
- Avenger
- Seán Cronin
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: February 9th, 2006, 3:57 pm
- Location: lost in thought; it's unfamiliar territory...
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
I was following a similar train of thought/conversation from a few football journos on twitter last week. One of them seemed to hint that he thinks it is going on in football.
“The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.” - JOHN MADDEN
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
- Posts: 10726
- Joined: April 12th, 2008, 11:33 pm
- Location: Eight miles high
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
There were particular teams linked in football. The thing about sniggering innuendo and gossip is... when it comes to drugs in sport it usually turns out to be right.Avenger wrote:I was following a similar train of thought/conversation from a few football journos on twitter last week. One of them seemed to hint that he thinks it is going on in football.
- simonokeeffe
- Jamie Heaslip
- Posts: 16777
- Joined: July 21st, 2011, 3:04 am
- Location: Dublin
- Contact:
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Justin Harrison?
Retired from babbling. Can be found on twittter @okeeffesimon
- kermischocolate
- Mullet
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: May 17th, 2009, 2:56 am
- Location: Glasgow
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
My understanding is players have to let (presumably WADA or their respective governing body on WADA's behalf) the testers know where they are going to be for a certain amount of time (I think it is at least a few weeks) and they are randomly tested. Not being available and missing a test counts as failing one. A certain number will be randomly picked at every game to be tested as well, i.e. basically the same as most professional athletes/sports. I've read posts on twitter where players have been complaining about being woken up at stupid o clock on their day off to give a sample.
The IRB has a "Keep Rugby Clean" campaign- all subs etc wearing a bib at the 7s in Australia had that all over them, don't know if this is going to be repeated in other forms of the game- here's the link: http://www.irb.com/keeprugbyclean/
The SRU's anti-doping policy and procedures are prominently displayed on their website: http://www.scottishrugby.org/aboutus/co ... /catid,12/ with the SRU's regulations available to download here: http://www.scottishrugby.org/aboutus/co ... /cid,1486/. It's 50 pages long and to be honest I've not read it!
The IRFU's policy takes a bit more hunting but is available here: http://www.irishrugby.ie/medical/anti_doping.php
The IRB has a "Keep Rugby Clean" campaign- all subs etc wearing a bib at the 7s in Australia had that all over them, don't know if this is going to be repeated in other forms of the game- here's the link: http://www.irb.com/keeprugbyclean/
The SRU's anti-doping policy and procedures are prominently displayed on their website: http://www.scottishrugby.org/aboutus/co ... /catid,12/ with the SRU's regulations available to download here: http://www.scottishrugby.org/aboutus/co ... /cid,1486/. It's 50 pages long and to be honest I've not read it!
The IRFU's policy takes a bit more hunting but is available here: http://www.irishrugby.ie/medical/anti_doping.php
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Am I imagining it, or was there a problem with a few of the SA players a few years ago when we played them in the AI? They said that it was something in the food, a supplement that was given to all of them, as far as I remember.
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
- kermischocolate
- Mullet
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: May 17th, 2009, 2:56 am
- Location: Glasgow
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Yup, you remember correct.... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... andal.htmlTheBear wrote:Am I imagining it, or was there a problem with a few of the SA players a few years ago when we played them in the AI? They said that it was something in the food, a supplement that was given to all of them, as far as I remember.
- Darce
- Shane Jennings
- Posts: 6149
- Joined: February 22nd, 2006, 4:24 pm
- Location: Gary Brown Fundamentalist Supporters' Front HQ, South West Dublin Brigade, D24 Unit
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
IRFU urine test from AIL up.
As mentioned above, pro players have to state where they will be on a daily basis. I remember Rob Kearney tweeting about how it was such a drag having to do so. I think that is a WADA thing.
I'd like to think Rugby is clean, particularly Irish Rugby. But I suppose you never know. The cover up methodology is so advanced, one simply cant reply on testing alone. You basically need to uncover a doping strategy or the supply chain and catch them in the act.
Essentially, whistle blowing is required.
As mentioned above, pro players have to state where they will be on a daily basis. I remember Rob Kearney tweeting about how it was such a drag having to do so. I think that is a WADA thing.
I'd like to think Rugby is clean, particularly Irish Rugby. But I suppose you never know. The cover up methodology is so advanced, one simply cant reply on testing alone. You basically need to uncover a doping strategy or the supply chain and catch them in the act.
Essentially, whistle blowing is required.
"I don't do desserts"
Gary Brown Fundamentalist Supporters' Front
The Front Lives on
Gary Brown Fundamentalist Supporters' Front
The Front Lives on
- LeRouxIsPHat
- Jamie Heaslip
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: January 22nd, 2009, 7:49 pm
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
I certainly think that rugby here is clean. That's not just a biased view but I just don't think we have a culture of it and know guys who would have played provincial rugby at underage level and they certainly wouldn't have been the types to do it.
At a guess I would say that people do it on an invidual basis all over the world, certainly don't think the sport has any real problem with it.
At a guess I would say that people do it on an invidual basis all over the world, certainly don't think the sport has any real problem with it.
-
- Shane Jennings
- Posts: 5144
- Joined: April 3rd, 2006, 11:06 am
- Location: South Stand, Baby!
- Contact:
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Barca freely admit that Lionel Messi is on growth hormones. He's not the only Barca player to be getting boosters either.fourthirtythree wrote:There were particular teams linked in football. The thing about sniggering innuendo and gossip is... when it comes to drugs in sport it usually turns out to be right.Avenger wrote:I was following a similar train of thought/conversation from a few football journos on twitter last week. One of them seemed to hint that he thinks it is going on in football.
Champions of Europe 09, 11 & 12!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
- Posts: 10726
- Joined: April 12th, 2008, 11:33 pm
- Location: Eight miles high
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Broken Wing wrote:Barca freely admit that Lionel Messi is on growth hormones. He's not the only Barca player to be getting boosters either.fourthirtythree wrote:There were particular teams linked in football. The thing about sniggering innuendo and gossip is... when it comes to drugs in sport it usually turns out to be right.Avenger wrote:I was following a similar train of thought/conversation from a few football journos on twitter last week. One of them seemed to hint that he thinks it is going on in football.
Didn't he move to Spain specifically so that he could get growth hormones? He got them as a teenager before playing for Barca. Actually probably while playing also but I'm sure he has a medical on that given it was so open. And to be fair it's not quite like the number of say, GAA players, that "are" asthmatic.
Didn't know that they were getting "boosters" but you could argue that the ability to provide movement, non-stop, all game would lend itself to being helped by certain other, non-steroid, non-growth hormone treatments common in another sport regularly under scrutiny.
- Bite and Belloq
- Learner
- Posts: 79
- Joined: October 9th, 2012, 2:36 pm
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
The Madrid media have been linking Barca to former Astana doctors. Nothing has stuck yet though.
I remember the Juve doctor getting two years for administering performance enhancing drugs to their players. Afaik that was an Italian state investigation though rather than anything that UEFA, FIFA, or even WADA initiated. Of the close to 300 different types of drug drugs he the doctor administered none were on FIFA’s banned list at the time.
The ‘Secret Footballer’ has said in the past that he has never once witnessed it in the English game. Richard Sadlier tells a different tale.
I remember the Juve doctor getting two years for administering performance enhancing drugs to their players. Afaik that was an Italian state investigation though rather than anything that UEFA, FIFA, or even WADA initiated. Of the close to 300 different types of drug drugs he the doctor administered none were on FIFA’s banned list at the time.
The ‘Secret Footballer’ has said in the past that he has never once witnessed it in the English game. Richard Sadlier tells a different tale.
Marta was watching the game with me when she said, "You know, most of these sports are based on the idea of one group protecting its territory from invasion by another group." "Yeah," I said, trying not to laugh. Girls are funny.
- RavenhillRaider
- Knowledgeable
- Posts: 428
- Joined: April 3rd, 2010, 11:53 am
- Location: Belfast
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Edit:Logorrhea wrote:While digesting the whole Lance Armstrong saga, Ive been wondering what kind of anti-doping controls do they have in rugby? Do they have any at all? Who is the authority in control of them?
I spose I'm just wondering if one day we'll be reading headlines about rugby player x, and their use of performance enhancing drugs throughout their career.
I remember frankie sheahan, was lucky to get his ban lifted for using Salbutamol inhaler for his asthma. Salbutamol is now a banned substance and athletes have been known to use it to increase lung capacity.
Last year an AIL player was banned for doping, http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/i ... 69501.html
But the Irish sports council with WADA carries out tests during the season.
Its really important to check the WADA list when buying supplements
Last edited by RavenhillRaider on October 17th, 2012, 12:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BOD is GOD!
-
- Shane Jennings
- Posts: 5144
- Joined: April 3rd, 2006, 11:06 am
- Location: South Stand, Baby!
- Contact:
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
http://www.irishpeloton.com/2012/02/dru ... other-one/Xavi, one of the world’s best players regularly takes growth hormones
Champions of Europe 09, 11 & 12!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Not to pick at this one, or your opinion, but isnt this exactly what fans of Armstrong, Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, and every other high profile athlete that were caught were saying for the last few years?LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I certainly think that rugby here is clean. That's not just a biased view but I just don't think we have a culture of it and know guys who would have played provincial rugby at underage level and they certainly wouldn't have been the types to do it.
And looking at the evidence, Armstrong, Hamilton, Landos etc were all clearn until the sport itself pushed thim into using drugs?
-
- Shane Jennings
- Posts: 5144
- Joined: April 3rd, 2006, 11:06 am
- Location: South Stand, Baby!
- Contact:
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
It's also what we're hearing about Bolt despite his incredibly shady connections.Logorrhea wrote:Not to pick at this one, or your opinion, but isnt this exactly what fans of Armstrong, Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, and every other high profile athlete that were caught were saying for the last few years?LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I certainly think that rugby here is clean. That's not just a biased view but I just don't think we have a culture of it and know guys who would have played provincial rugby at underage level and they certainly wouldn't have been the types to do it.
And looking at the evidence, Armstrong, Hamilton, Landos etc were all clearn until the sport itself pushed thim into using drugs?
Champions of Europe 09, 11 & 12!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
- LeRouxIsPHat
- Jamie Heaslip
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: January 22nd, 2009, 7:49 pm
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Cycling and athletics both have a history of it though, I just don't think it's part of the rugby culture.
Does Bolt have shady connections? If he was to be found out to be a cheat then that'd be the final straw for me and athletics...admittedly I only watch about 3 minutes of athletics every year but even so!
Does Bolt have shady connections? If he was to be found out to be a cheat then that'd be the final straw for me and athletics...admittedly I only watch about 3 minutes of athletics every year but even so!
-
- Shane Jennings
- Posts: 5144
- Joined: April 3rd, 2006, 11:06 am
- Location: South Stand, Baby!
- Contact:
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
From a piece published by CBS Chicago on 12/08/12:
The following day this report was published in Bolt's defence. Well more of an attack on the article than a defence of Bolt:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1296 ... as-cheater
Bolt's manager, Ricky Simms, has since denied any connection with Hernandez. Speaking in late August he said
Is Bolt working with Hernandez? Did he hire him as a "coach" in 2009? If the answer to either of those questions is yes then it's looking very dodgy for Bolt.
“When people ask me about Bolt, I say he could be the greatest athlete of all time,” Carl Lewis told the Times of London. “But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool.”
Bolt reportedly has been working with Angel Hernandez, too. Hernandez used to be called Angel Heredia
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08/12/ ... u-know-it/Before the games in Beijing, Heredia told Germany’s Der Spiegel that, regarding the 100-meter final, “the winner will not be clean. Not even any of the contestants will be clean. There is no doubt about it, the difference between 10.0 and 9.7 seconds is the drugs.”
Usain Bolt went on to win that final with a time of 9.69
The following day this report was published in Bolt's defence. Well more of an attack on the article than a defence of Bolt:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1296 ... as-cheater
Bolt's manager, Ricky Simms, has since denied any connection with Hernandez. Speaking in late August he said
(The these people he refers to are Hernandez and Juan Manuel Marquez, a boxer who has a history of using performance enhancing drugs and hired Angel Hernandez as his strength and conditioning coach for a fight against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.)Usain has no connection with any of these people. Nobody from Team Bolt has any connection or knows any of these people
Is Bolt working with Hernandez? Did he hire him as a "coach" in 2009? If the answer to either of those questions is yes then it's looking very dodgy for Bolt.
Champions of Europe 09, 11 & 12!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
Pro 12 and Challenge Cup Champions 13!
Pro 12 Champions 14!
Magners League Champions 08!
Best supported in the Magners League 08 & 11!
- LeRouxIsPHat
- Jamie Heaslip
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: January 22nd, 2009, 7:49 pm
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
Worrying. I have heard that with a lot of drug cheats in athletics the difference in times from when they were younger to after they doped is quite obvious (no sh*t Sherlock!) but that with Bolt, his times always showed steady progress which tied in with his physical development.
That's very worrying though.
That's very worrying though.
- fourthirtythree
- Leo Cullen
- Posts: 10726
- Joined: April 12th, 2008, 11:33 pm
- Location: Eight miles high
Re: "Doping" in rugby?
To be honest it never seriously crossed my mind that Bolt wasn't awash in drugs. Not once.LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Worrying. I have heard that with a lot of drug cheats in athletics the difference in times from when they were younger to after they doped is quite obvious (no sh*t Sherlock!) but that with Bolt, his times always showed steady progress which tied in with his physical development.
That's very worrying though.