Rugby league great Johnathan Thurston says he’s concerned for the wellbeing of former teammate James Segeyaro, after the off-contract Brisbane hooker tested positive to a banned substance.

Segeyaro has been provisionally suspended by the NRL after the PNG international returned a positive A-sample for Ligandrol, a non-steroid anabolic agent popular with bodybuilders.

The NRL said in a statement on Thursday Segeyaro was tested by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority on September 3.

Thurston, who played with Segeyaro at North Queensland, said his primary concern was for the nine-season veteran’s mental health.

“First and foremost we need to check on his wellbeing,” Thurston told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

“He’d just started to get his football back in check with the Broncos and this is a huge blow to him.

“Hopefully he’s getting all the help that he needs. It’s not a great look for the game.”

After being pushed out of Cronulla due to the Sharks’ salary cap issues, Segeyaro was a mid-season recruit for Brisbane in May.

The 28-year-old made 13 appearances for the Broncos but also had to serve a one-game club-imposed ban after being charged with low-range drink driving shortly after arriving at Red Hill.

The RLPA has organised independent legal representation for Segeyaro, who is on holiday in Europe.

AAP understands Segeyaro has no idea how the substance got in his system and is going to ask for a B-sample to be tested.

Due to the provisional ban, it appears likely Segeyaro will be unable to represent the Kumuls at this month’s World Cup Nines tournament after being named in PNG’s squad this week.

Ligandrol is the same substance that was found in Australian swimmer Shayna Jack’s system earlier this year.

Jack, 20, is facing a potential four-year ban but has blamed a contaminated substance and has vowed to clear her name after being kicked off the 2019 world titles swimming team in July.