Blues and All Blacks second-row Patrick Tuipulotu has been suspended following a positive drugs test, New Zealand Rugby has revealed.

New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association confirmed via a press statement that they were notified of a positive test result on the 24-year-old in November.

“NZR and NZRPA can confirm that Patrick was shocked by the test result and is working hard to identify the source of the Specified Substance,” the statement read.

“In accordance with World Rugby Anti-Doping Regulations, Patrick remains provisionally suspended pending resolution of this matter.

“Further to these regulations, NZR and NZPRA are bound by strict confidentiality obligations.”

The rugby star and Blues player has not been seen on the pitch since November, after returning home early from a Northern Hemisphere tour, amid what has been described as an “ongoing personal matter”.