The Sports Tribunal has banned Evaan Reihana for three months after he tested positive for cocaine following a New Zealand Rugby League Premiership match in October 2023. According to nzherald.co.nz, the player admitted to using cocaine but said it had been taken the night before the New Zealand Premiership Rugby League match between his team Waikato and Canterbury to help him cope with a very difficult personal situation. Drug Free Sport New Zealand reports that Riehana took the substance, cocaine, for his own non-competitive use and not to enhance his sporting performance. Cocaine does appear on the list of prohibited substances in the Sporting Code. Waikato, who play in the northern zone of the New Zealand league, were founded in 1921 and have been competing in the country's premiership since 1976.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 21, 2023 19:06 UTC