Photo: Supplied to RNZ
A New Zealand Rugby investigation into the Hawke's Bay rugby Ranfurly Shield saga has found insufficient evidence to conclude drugs were used during post-match celebrations earlier this month.
At a party after Hawke's Bay won the shield from Wellington on 30 September, it was split in two - and images of white powder on the shield circulated on social media.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said the independently-led investigation, which took 10 days to complete, included interviews with players and management, as well as testing the shield for drugs.
It confirmed the shield broke when it was accidentally dropped by a player on a concrete floor.
There was insufficient evidence arising from either the investigation or the independent testing to positively confirm the unknown substance on the shield.
Hawke's Bay Rugby has confirmed it will conduct an employment investigation over the coming weeks, but that will be confidential.
Hawkes Bay With Shield. Wellington Lions v Hawkes Bay, Bunnings NPC rugby union match at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 30 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
NZR general manager community rugby Steve Lancaster said while they were satisfied that it was broken by accident, they expected the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union to look into the circumstances that led to it.
"We remain disappointed in the situation and are now focused on repairing the shield and reviewing its protocols," Lancaster said.
"The Ranfurly Shield is a taonga of rugby in New Zealand and our intention is that it can continue to be enjoyed by the community that holds it."
Hawke's Bay Rugby chief executive Jay Campbell said the union accepted the findings of the investigation.
"Whilst this was a genuine accident, no-one is more disappointed than the Union and playing group.
"We continue to take full responsibility for the damage and remain committed to supporting the process of repair."
Campbell told Midday Report the employment investigation over the coming weeks could affect players in next year's campaign.
"We will go through that and work through what that looks like for individual players or team sanctions."
However, any further processes that takes place would remain confidential because players were subject to the Collective Employment Agreement, NZR said.
Campbell said their focus since the incident had been on regaining trust of the community by putting on performances they could be proud of.
Once repaired, the Ranfurly Shield will be handed back to Hawke's Bay as the current holders.
Listen to the full interview with Hawke's Bay Rugby chief executive Jay Campbell
Timeline of events
Images of two pieces of the broken Ranfurly Shield and a Magpies player began circulating the morning after the team's win.
The club released an initial statement saying the shield was broken when it was dropped on concrete by a player, in a genuine accident.
More photos later emerged of white powder on the shield, some divided into lines.
New Zealand Rugby launched an investigation and took possession of the shield.