Guildford: Has had his challenges
When Zac Guildford was named in the New Zealand squad for the end-of-year tour, coach Graham Henry likened him to legendary wing John Kirwan.
Last weekend in Tokyo, 20-year-old Guildford got to meet the man who made his Test debut as a 19-year-old in 1984.
Kirwan went on to score 35 tries in a 63-Test career and had some sage words of advice for the wing who will make his international debut against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
"He just said he didn't play his greatest rugby in his first couple of years and that was because he was overawed being in the black jersey," Guildford revealed.
"He just said to play your natural game when you get out there and do your best."
Guildford was a late addition to the New Zealand bench for the Bledisloe Cup match in Japan when Tamati Ellison was ruled out with a calf strain but never took to the field.
He will be lining up this weekend in place of the suspended Sitiveni Sivivatu and will face a familiar opponent in British and Irish Lions speedster Leigh Halfpenny.
"I've marked him before in the Junior World Cup," Guildford told Radio Sport.
"He is a good player. They have got a pretty good all-round side.
"On the other wing will be 2008 IRB player of the year Shane Williams.
"They are not big wingers but they are nippy. They will take their chances and we need to be on our toes and not give them too much space," Guildford added.
Saturday's match comes towards the end of a turbulent year for the Crusaders-bound wing whose father died in the stands in Tokyo while watching his son help the New Zealand U20 side win their World Cup in June.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Guildford was "pretty excited" by the prospect of his first Test cap.
"He's had his challenges during the year," Henry said.
"He's met them well. He's used them as motivation and he's achieved goals earlier than he'd expected I'd imagine."
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