Zac still the black sheep for NZ Rugby
Zac Guildford is yet to convince New Zealand Rugby he deserves another chance but the former All Black will continue to fight for his career in the hope he can eventually win back its trust.
Guildford is adamant he has made permanent changes but past actions continue to hinder future prospects.
‘‘I just try not to be an idiot these days,’’ Guildford told Fairfax New Zealand. ‘‘I’m in a better space and that helps a lot. I’m not the angry upset person I used to be after I went through my dad passing away and then the fallout with the NZRU.
‘‘I was travelling other places to deal with my problems but that wasn’t helping. I had to deal with I’m not the angry upset person I used to be. Zac Guildford them personally and be open and honest with those around me.
‘‘I think that honesty has led to me being a better person.’’
Over the past six months Guildford has done everything he can to turn his life around. Returning from the Waratahs in Sydney, where he admits his offfield issues again got the better of him, Guildford settled at his grandparents in the Wairarapa and played a season of Heartland rugby.
Guildford made an impact, just as he did with Waikato at the national sevens after fielding a call from fellow former All Blacks wing Roger Randle.
Guildford’s form launched him into the frame for New Zealand selection at this weekend’s Wellington sevens. But a 30-minute conversation with NZ Rugby this week soon put paid to those aspirations.
NZR general manager Neil Sorensen confirmed the national body is not ready to welcome him back. ‘‘He needs to demonstrate to himself and to others that he has let down that over a sustained period of time he is a changed person, before we would entertain employing him again,’’ Sorensen said.
Guildford has never worked this hard for a professional rugby contact. Before now, they fell in his lap as he rode natural talent. These days nothing is guaranteed; nothing taken for granted.
‘‘I’m not there yet and by no means perfect,’’ Guildford said. ’’I know I’ve still got a long way to go in terms of personal development. But I want to prove to people I’m not the Zac Guildford of old, and that I can help others. That is the ultimate goal one day, to help other young athletes that encounter similar problems and help them get through it.’’
Working 9-5 at sportswear manufacturer Kukri, and fitting personal and team trainings in at the Hamilton Old Boys club, makes daily life a busy beast.
‘‘As much as I’d love to be playing sevens for New Zealand this weekend I understand I have to wait out a bit of time until the NZRU see I’ve changed my ways and I’m doing things right this time,’’ the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist said.
‘‘I thought my form would’ve carried me into contention but I learnt through my past actions before the Waratahs that there was a bit of a roadblock through the NZRU for me being selected.’’
Guildford now hopes to gain sign-off from NZR to join Waikato’s provincial team but even that is no certainty.
‘‘I haven’t got a lot of clarity around what I need to do which is a little frustrating but my past is pretty colourful and perception doesn’t paint a great picture.
‘‘So I need to keep building on the good mindset I’m in and hopefully that looks like having a good Mitre 10 Cup, if selected, and things flow on from there. This year will go pretty slowly but I’ve got to keep building.
‘‘I still have a desire to play rugby, that’s what I love doing.’’