Kirwan slams doped-up Loamanu 

Source: PhotosportJapan coach John Kirwan

Japan rugby coach John Kirwan has slammed Tongan-born winger Christian Loamanu for failing a doping test that risks ending his career in his adopted country.

The 22-year-old, a member of Japan's 2007 World Cup squad, has been banned "indefinitely" from playing rugby in Japan after testing positive for marijuana and other substances last month.

"I'm very disappointed to be honest," former New Zealand great John Kirwan said by telephone on Thursday.

"I tried to contact Christian but he never returned my calls.

"I have been told he can never play in Japan again. We all make mistakes but there is no room for drugs in sport.

"These guys are role models. Some of these players get paid three times more than most prime ministers. They have a very good life and what comes with that is responsibility."

Loamanu, who denied taking illegal drugs, was initially suspended for three months by the Japan Anti Doping Agency before the Japan Rugby Football Union threw the book at him.

Kirwan insisted that Tokyo's bright lights and colourful nightlife could not be used as an excuse.

"Big city, big lights, big wage packet," said Kirwan.

"No one's whiter than white. But when I called him after his B sample (tested positive) he didn't call me back so....."

Loamanu's Tokyo-based Toshiba Brave Lupus club fired the player and have pulled out of the semi-finals of the national championships as a result of the incident.

"The stance Toshiba have taken is incredible," said Kirwan.

"It's a real statement to the world of sport, a fantastically courageous step."

Japan has strict laws on drugs, although even the ancient sport of sumo has been tarnished recently after several of the wrestling giants were arrested for possession of marijuana.

Loamanu, who in 2005 became the youngest player to represent Japan's "Brave Blossoms", has been in trouble before.

He was banned from the Japan team for a year after being embroiled in a fight in Tokyo's Roppongi nightspot district after returning from the national team's tour of South America.

"It's a tough one," said Kirwan.

"We don't need to ostracise him. We have to give him a path back after he takes his ban so he is not lost forever."