All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been cleared to return to play immediately after his B-sample doping test came up negative.

The 24-year-old tested positive for a banned substance while on tour with the All Blacks last November, which resulted in a provisional suspension.

On Thursday, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) confirmed that Tuipulotu has been cleared of any wrongdoing after he was fully exonerated by the negative result of a second anti-doping test.

NZR and NZRPA received notification from Six Nations that the results of testing on Tuipulotu’s doping control B sample from the US-based World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada)-accredited laboratory Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City confirmed no presence of a Specified Substance listed on the WADA’s 2016 Prohibited List.

World Rugby has been informed and has confirmed it will not be taking the matter any further.

Tuipulotu says he is relieved that the process, while incredibly stressful, has revealed the truth.

'This has been a challenging and difficult time for me, my partner, family and teammates, and I am grateful for their support. I’m pleased the matter is now closed, with my reputation and integrity intact, and I look forward to getting back into training and an exciting year of rugby,' Tuipulotu.

NZR CEO Steve Tew also welcomed closure on the case: 'This is an important and welcomed conclusion for both Patrick and for rugby.  We are pleased that a robust process has been undertaken, and that he has been fully cleared. There is no room for doping in rugby, and we take our responsibility to keep the game clean very seriously.'

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