Banned

Aroha Nuku failed a routine drug test last September, after playing for the Cyclones in their Round four match of the Farah Palmer Cup.

The test found traces of methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine.

According to Drug Free Sport NZ, on the night she was tested Ms Nuku declared the use of supplements and hay fever tablets.

However, she later admitted to also taking what she thought was ritalin in powder form during a drive between Palmerston North and Hawera earlier in the week.

Sipaia told the Samoa Observer she had done nothing wrong and was innocent because she had never intended to take drugs to enhance her performance.

However, in speaking out, she has also put Olympic silver medalist Ele Opeloge and her sister, Pacific Games gold medalist Mary Opeloge in the spotlight.

Sipaia told the newspaper that a 'Doctor Tala' had told her the injection was not a banned substance and that he had used the same on Ele, Mary and other lifters.