Seeking treatment: Zac Guildford
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Troubled All Blacks winger Zac Guildford will take an indefinite break from rugby as he seeks treatment for personal issues, officials said on Saturday.
23-year-old Guildford, who has a history of alcohol-related problems, is facing misconduct proceedings after an off-field incident earlier this month when he reportedly became involved in a brawl with a man at a party.
The New Zealand Rugby Union said he had decided to withdraw indefinitely from the Crusaders ahead of the Super Rugby season to undergo an intensive treatment programme.
"Zac's withdrawal from the Crusaders means they are able to concentrate on preparing for their 2013 season, and Zac will be free from rugby to concentrate on resolving his personal issues," NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
Guildford admitted to having alcohol issues when publicly reprimanded by the All Blacks' management during the 2011 World Cup and two months later announced a 12-month drinking ban after he ran naked into a bar and allegedly punched two men.
New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol said Guildford had accepted he faced a major challenge which meant he had to put his career on hold.
"We have taken the advice of experts and Zac is committed to the plan they have developed," he said.
"It is fundamental that he commits fully to the plan, and sees it through -- this means withdrawing from the rugby environment."
Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder said his whole team was supporting Guilfor.
"We see this as a positive step forward in overcoming his illness," said Blackadder.
"This is ultimately about his well-being so it is important for him to take the time to fully address it. "
" We are unclear on what it means for the Crusaders at this time."
The winger has played 10 Tests and scored six tries for the All Blacks.
Comments
passtheball says...
Capedcrusader - Yes it was a major blow and I remember watching that game where Zac played extremely well but he was unaware of his loss. Still, there are several young men that have lost one or both of their parents tragically but have led relatively normal lives. Conversely there are many who have both parents alive and well but act like idiots, or are even dangerous, when drinking.
Posted 11:07 28th January 2013
Capedcrusader says...
@passtheball
His troubles started when his father had a heart attack & died watching him play in the Junior WC
Posted 09:29 28th January 2013
masar says...
booze abuser... man up and leave the bottle
Posted 15:34 27th January 2013
passtheball says...
I see Hawkes Bay rugby are saying the trouble only began when he went to Canterbury. Poor man management or will Chch do that for any otherwise normal person? He has had every chance including making the W Cup squad ahead of Sivivatu and Gear. A couple of decades ago his antics might have been considered a joke but now its .... so serious. Some people shouldn't drink.
Posted 14:33 27th January 2013
s15rules says...
Stollenboch did you just make that up? I read the father of the man punched whom is a well known harness racing trainer gave a statement saying it was a mistake his was punched and zac went straight round next day and apologized witch was accepted!!
Posted 14:09 27th January 2013
JayStarr says...
@ BokAvenger: "I have done for these forums what the Rock has done for WWE".... LOL !
Now it all makes sense.
But to quote the great one... "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK !" :p
Posted 13:27 27th January 2013
JayStarr says...
So sad to see a guy this young have such issues... and that we won't see him play this year. But hopefully he now gets the help and attention he needs and they get to the root of the problem. Because he's still young, he still has a rugby future... And can you imagine how good he will be when he stops drinking ?
Good luck Zac. You've got my support.
Posted 13:22 27th January 2013
Stellenbosched2 says...
I would have a lot more compassion for ZG if he hadn't smacked an elderly gent. The minute he did that he lost any respect I have for him. I fully understand that rugby must be the worst sport in the world to be playing for those suffering from alcoholism. I will stand by those who are battling though it and who have the odd fall. But don't bring bullying and violence into the mix. At that point you can go to hell.
Hi BA
You are not a fool by any means, and you have some accurate observations about rugby. However, you really need to work on how you present yourself. Tone it down by 200% and you will find more and more agreeing with your comments (Unless BA is actually Ross).
Posted 10:48 27th January 2013
trelawney says...
To all the posters who tried to be funny on his problem. GET A LIFE you miserable sods..
Zac has realised he has an alcoholic problem and has contacted people for help. A lot of people do not understand that being an alcoholic is a disease and that person suffering from it needs medical help.
@bokavenger crawl back under your worthless stone!
@New_j4a unfortunately I saw a very good friend die from alcoholism.
Zac has done the right thing. Now leave him alone to combat this illness.
Posted 22:42 26th January 2013
kiwieire02 says...
I wonder if Todd Blackadder is regretting dropping Sean Maitland from the Crusaders right about now? Maitland did have injury and form problems last season(and a attitude problem according to some) but when he is playing well I rated him better than Guildford, and now with both of them out, the Crusaders are looking light in experience in the back 3.
Posted 22:07 26th January 2013
ruck_man7 says...
All the best with your road to recovery.
Posted 21:26 26th January 2013
7ton says...
bokavenger
So now you have resorted to telling straightforward porkies as you know very well the kick was good as failed to answer my question asking you to explain how the video clearly showed the ball going between the posts in the article http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3562_8397511,00.html
see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWPTyzm0y4
Posted 21:13 26th January 2013
carpelone says...
Get back soon, son, and with a nice haircut.
Posted 17:14 26th January 2013
JHRoberts says...
My two cents:
1. I hope that he'll make a comeback in NZ. Didn't Jimmy Cowan have similar (less severe perhaps) issues? His All Black caps may have one of two effects: make him less attractive to English/Celtic clubs looking for residency-based internationals and/or increase his value on the French market. So maybe he'll surface in the Northern Hemisphere first.
2. I can't help but wonder if this isn't a twisted blessing in disguise for Kurt Baker... Dropped by the Highlanders, has a great Maori tour, finds in feet again in sevens, then gets picked up for the Wider Training Group of the... CRUSADERS, who now have a vacancy in their back three.
Posted 16:36 26th January 2013
new_j4a says...
@Trinats, I dunno, mate. Its an illness. I watched a brother lose that battle about 3 times a year for decades....and I can pour myself a drink and forget to drink it. So its hard to understand the addiction....but I have seen it strong enough that he would trade a child for a drink...and then the remorse so strong you think he's going to top himself. I wouldn't be too quick to judge mate....I wouldn't wish that problem on anybody.
@sirtidychris, I think you may have a point about the support network, but I assume that he has the best experts around him and that this is their advice based on information and expertise we don't have. He surely must be a highly prized asset to kiwi rugby at all levels and I assume that they will spare no expense in getting him help and support....
Posted 14:25 26th January 2013
boksmashoffice says...
The lad has been through allot. The loss of his father must have impacted massively on him and his family. I just hope he can beat this illness and get back on the rugby field. the crusaders i get the impression are a close knit organisation am sure will stay loyal to him. Good luck fella and i look forward to seeing you back on the pitch and who know maybe an AB in the future.
Posted 13:38 26th January 2013
golden_Statenba says...
@7ton
BA is quick to blame everything apart from the fact her team are just not very good.
I guess this is why she has to post in the NZ forums otherwise if she posted in the SA ones what attention would she get?
Posted 12:53 26th January 2013
BokAvenger says...
@7ton: I see you are still bitter about me uncovering the truth about that penalty, which clearly shows that the ball did not go through the posts.
Everyone on these forums knows full well the depth of my rugby knowledge. These forums were as moribund as a graveyard on Christmas eve until I came along and livened them up with my wit and insight. I have done for these forums what The Rock did for WWE.
Posted 12:00 26th January 2013
7ton says...
bokavenger
That's very rich coming from someone like you who can't even see a ball going between the posts and knows so little about rugby that you didn't even realise that players would watch the ball during a penalty kick in case it rebounded of the posts back into play.
Zac Guildford realises he has a problem. Time for you to wake up and realise you have one as well!
Good luck to Zac!
Posted 11:07 26th January 2013
Jediboy says...
Hope he gets himself sorted.
Good luck.
Posted 10:54 26th January 2013