Zac Guildford, the former All Blacks winger who had the rugby world at his feet before seeing it disappear in a blizzard of alcohol and drugs, insists he is a reformed man who could do a job at the highest level in English rugby – if somebody just gives him the chance to prove it.
Guildford, who shot to prominence as a teenage protégé before featuring in New Zealand’s historic 2011 World Cup-winning campaign, fell off the rails in his early-to-mid-twenties and looked finished when he failed a drugs test during a stint at Clermont Auvergne in 2015.
The earlier death of Zac’s father, Robert, from a heart attack during the 2009 Junior World Cup final in Tokyo left an indelible mark and, after winning the last of his ten All Blacks caps against Ireland in 2012, the former Crusader began an inexorable slide into rugby obscurity.
With him reformed and back in control physically and mentally, another of life’s vagaries intervened this year when Covid-19 ruined a proposed ground-breaking move to the Russian Premier League, where he had been due to link up with Bulava and relaunch his career.
Denne historien er fra August 16, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 16, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.