Guildford: Given yet another lifeline
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Zac Guildford has been cleared to continue his Crusaders career after a New Zealand Rugby Union disciplinary hearing.
The All Blacks winger was stood down by the Crusaders as he underwent treatment for an alcohol problem after an alleged altercation at a party following a drinking binge.
Guildford had been involved in two other alcohol-related incidents inside 15 months and there was speculation that the NZRU could tear up his contract after this latest indiscretion.
"This decision was not reached lightly or hastily, and follows a very thorough misconduct process and consultation with medical experts," NZRU General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said in a statement.
"Despite the serious misconduct, we found that there were sufficient mitigating circumstances to believe that Zac can continue to make a significant contribution to New Zealand rugby provided that he observes the conditions and continues with his path to recovery."
Guildford played for his Hawke's Bay club side last weekend before appearing at the hearing.
"I have accepted that I have challenges that will be with me for life and that it is up to me to continually work at managing them," he said. "I know I have apologised for my behaviour before and that people's patience has grown thin.
"I am hugely grateful that I have been given this opportunity to show that I really am serious about getting my life heading in the right direction."
Guildford is expected to return to Crusaders' training this week, but he was not included in their squad for Saturday's match against the Bulls.
Comments
hellovanite says...
Who are some of you people, I'll tell who you are! You are the dumb ass villages who grab their pitch forks and form a lynch mob. He has made mistakes and maybe it's too soon for him to be back, but hell he hasn't killed anyone! You are a self righteous lot at times. Ramage has the most sensible post here by a country mile.
Posted 06:06 15th March 2013
masar says...
booze abuser
Posted 01:04 15th March 2013
Funk says...
Tamjon....you really have no idea. people are still crusifying cooper for the lap top. Beale's case is not over, and really, o'conner missed a photo shoot and got suspended he didn't assault anyone. Guilford has done this over and over, remorse PLEASE! if he actually showed any remorse he wouldn't have done it a 2nd time let alone a 3rd! The way nzru disiplines wayward players, no wonder he keeps doing it! nzru need to grow a set.
Posted 22:58 14th March 2013
Ramage says...
Isnt it interesting that all these people can sit in judgement on the man with only the headlines to go by. The young man has an illness I repeat an illness and the first thing needed is to give help to the man to overcome that illnees. Does it excuse his behaviour? Certainly not, but as a good employer the NZRFU have obviously listened to their advice and decided to help the young man. Will he get another chance if he goes off the rails again? I would certainly think not. That probably is stipulated in the part of the agreement that is confidential along with what treatment he is to undertake. Rather than condemn the decision I for one commend the NZRFU for it.
Finally, Trinuts once again, your usual stuff, anything to score a cheap point. Read again what Tamjon has said about Cooper Beale and could I now add Ioane. Just goes to show once again how loose with the truth you are. The question must be asked will Cooper, Beale and Ioane be selected for the Wallabies, of course they will. Are they currently still playing for their super teams? Yes they are, except Ioane who is to miss one single game. Is this the way Australian Rugby Players are hung drawn and quartered? Stood down for one game. Once again hypocracy reigns.
Posted 22:51 14th March 2013
Trader2 says...
Oh dear there are some vile people out there who pretend to follow our great game. The kid has admitted he is an alcoholic at 24, as most reasonably intelligent people will know that is the first step in healing this disease. If he needs to front the law then the law will will take care of it, but it seems a small minority would like his livelihood taken away for being an alcolholic. Someone a few years ago spoke these wise words "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone...." or something like that. Good luck Zac
Posted 22:44 14th March 2013
Tamjon says...
Trinuts. Cooper stealing laptops, Beale on assault charges, O'Conner missing the world cup naming because he was hungover. Didn't see any of them publicly hung. I did not see any genuine remorse, in fact it was brushed over. NZ does not have a culture problem like oz, and would say I am proud of the way they have handled it. It would have been easier to cut him free, but have instead committed themselves to help a young man who has admitted his illness and is showing a genuine attempt to change ( very much the opposite of what we see in oz).
Good luck Zac. I hope you make the most of this opportunity.
Posted 21:53 14th March 2013
rolf says...
Good luck, boy.
Face your fears and get over it.
Posted 20:28 14th March 2013
Isograford says...
Well this is typical NZRU isn't it. They regularly let players break contracts so they can go overseas, so they were always going to give Guildford yet another chance.
No wonder he keeps falling off the Wagon when there's basically no penalty for doing so, they should have shown him the door.
Posted 20:15 14th March 2013
2EyedKiwi says...
Trynuts - he's not a hero in NZ.
Posted 19:34 14th March 2013
markpat says...
Yes, get drunk, what someone, apologise, get a slap on the wrist.
Get drunk, slap people again, apologise again and get a sit down and a slap on the wrist.
Oh, sorry, forgot "his dad died" - good reason to assault people. Or "he has alcohol issues" - another good reason to assault people. Obviously anyone who has had a loved one die or is an alcoholic routinely attacks people, oh wait, no that's not true.
Posted 15:14 14th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
If he was an Aussie, he would have been hanged, publicly flogged or banned forlife. Yet he's a hero in NZ. I guess union players are held in the same esteem as league players are in Aus !
Posted 11:59 14th March 2013
carpelone says...
Get it right, son. I hope you do.
Posted 09:41 14th March 2013
new_j4a says...
Good luck! Love to watch him play. Nearly as good as Habanna of old.
Posted 06:53 14th March 2013