The New Zealand Herald

Waratahs coach has empathy with wing after family tragedy

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Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is leaning on experience gleaned from a family tragedy with alcoholism to help troubled former All Black Zac Guildford re-launch his Super Rugby career in Sydney.

Guildford, who has a history of alcohol-related issues, admits drinking remained a problem after he cut short a stint with French club Clermont and returned to New Zealand provincial rugby this year.

The 26-year-old accepts his contract with the Waratahs represents a final opportunit­y and has vowed to stay off alcohol.

“This is the last chance saloon for me and if I stuff it up, it’s game over,” Guildford told TVNZ’s Seven Sharp, acknowledg­ing he was an alcoholic. “I’ve had so many problems with alcohol. Look, I’ve still made mistakes this year, to be honest. I don’t blame anyone else but myself.”

Gibson is supportive and understand­s the battle ahead for Guildford after the new Waratahs coach lost his sister, Kiri, to alcoholism earlier this year.

Guildford linked with the Waratahs last week as they began pre-season training and Gibson said he had been one of the best trainers so far.

“The pleasing thing is Zac is trying to be a better man, to make better choices,” Gibson said. “In terms of rules and so forth, it is a bit like a prenuptial. Zac knows very clearly the boundaries we have set for him, making sure that he protects the team at all times. He is very aware of that and so far he has been brilliant.”

Gibson was encouraged by Guildford’s honesty.

“He has made a bold, courageous statement that he wants to stay away from the drink,” Gibson said. “I have been personally touched by addiction. I lost my sister to alcoholism and she was only 44. I really understand what he is going through, just how devastatin­g addiction is in terms of the ups and downs the families and people close to them go through.

“The great thing about Zac is that he is an honest person. He has come out and shown everyone, ‘this is what I want to do’ and I want to support him.”

Guildford said he had used his father’s death as an “excuse” for his drinking. It has contribute­d to a number of disciplina­ry issues. Last month he was stood down by Hawkes Bay following a binge after their Ranfurly Shield loss to Waikato.

“I know how hard it’s going to be [not drinking] but I don’t want to live the life I’ve been living for the last six years because it’s been pretty average,” he said.

Gibson was coaching the Crusaders when Guildford was coming up through the ranks and said the wing could still return to the heights that earned him 11 tests with the All Blacks, the last in 2012.

“I said to him you are going to have to be the best Super Rugby winger in the competitio­n for the All Blacks to even look at you again,” Gibson said. “So he is very focused on going through that process towards becoming that type of player.”

Guildford has signed a 10-month contract with the Waratahs. He last played Super Rugby with the Crusaders in 2014.

 ??  ?? Troubled rugby star Zac Guildford trains with the Waratahs in Sydney yesterday, where he has so far impressed.
Troubled rugby star Zac Guildford trains with the Waratahs in Sydney yesterday, where he has so far impressed.

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