The Western Force are wrapping their arms around Kane Koteka following the flanker's shock Super Rugby Pacific doping ban.
Koteka was this week handed an 18-month doping ban - backdated to February last year - after returning a positive out-of-competition result for the drug Ostarine.
The 30-year-old, who won the Force's best-and-fairest award in 2021, successfully argued he had taken the substance unintentionally.
Koteka said that unbeknown to him his housemate had been using the drug.
Sports Integrity Australia agreed it was likely that a cross-contamination occurred, handing Koteka an 18-month ban instead of a larger suspension.
Koteka won't be eligible to train again until June, with August 3 the earliest he can return to playing.
The news of Koteka's ban is a big blow to the injury-hit Force, who are desperate to rebound from their 0-3 start to the season in Friday night's home clash with Moana Pasifika.
“We’re very concerned and making sure that we are looking at our end and keeping in contact with the young man,” Force forwards coach Jimmy Duffy told reporters on Thursday.
“Difficult time, but the boys are all around him and making sure he’s getting through this as best he can.
“It’s a human element. You’ve got to make sure you look after people number one, and ensure the process is tight as well.
"On a human level, everyone keeps in contact with him.”
The Force have blown big leads against the Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies over the past fortnight.
Coach Simon Cron has urged his team to be more focused across the whole match, and wants them to be better on the discipline front after giving away 16 penalties to four against the Brumbies.
Duffy said the team are on the right track despite their difficult start.
"There's a lot of new players in this group ... it takes time to gel," he said.
"You’ve got to stick to your guns and say, ‘This is where our true north is’ and become world class at the stuff we want to be world class at.
“I can’t give an exact date of when it’s going to change, but we’ve been really close in those last two games and it’s hurt, but the hurt is useful for us.”
The Force will be without vice-captain Michael Wells (knee), while star recruit Nic White has been rotated to the bench after starting the first three games.
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has been handed his first start of the season as White's replacement.
Moana Pasifika, who lost 29-23 to the Rebels last week, have named former Wallabies duo Christian Leali'ifano and Sekope Kepu in their starting line-up.
