Japan coach John Kirwan wants to bring back Christian Loamanu for his World Cup squad even though the winger has received a lifetime ban for drug use. The New Zealand Herald reports.
"Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) chairman Noburo Mashimo told reporters Kirwan wanted to reinstate the Tongan-born Loamanu but admitted there would be problems with the move.
"Loamanu, 24, won 16 caps for the Brave Blossoms and played at the 2007 World Cup, but was sacked from Japan Top League side Toshiba Brave Lupus in February 2009 and banned by the JRFU after two doping test specimens revealed traces of cannabis.
"Mashimo told Japanese media: "It will be difficult to bring him (Loamanu) back after the decision has already been made on this case. However, we'd better listen to what the head coach would say and see how much he needs the player."
"Mashimo added that he had advised Kirwan, the All Black legend who became Japan coach months before the 2007 World Cup in France, to state his case at the union's executive meeting in March."
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