Guildford vows to quit alcohol in new chapter

Zac Guildford is giving up alcohol.

Zac Guildford says he's giving up alcohol for good after admitting he went on a drinking binge sparked by the Magpies Ranfurly Shield loss last month.

The former All Black outside back appeared in an interview on TV One's Seven Sharp last night and said he's "made mistakes this year" yet hoped his stint at next month's Fight For Life boxing match would help him refocus.

Guildford didn't play this year's ITM Cup championship semifinal against Bay of Plenty due to a "personal issue" which at the time the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union refused to elaborate on.

During last night's show it was stated he went on a bender following the Magpies shield loss to Waikato.

Yet he said he now needed to "take some responsibility" for his drinking. "I got described as a human torpedo when I was drinking," said Guildford, who claimed his wrestling with alcohol began at high school.

"We just drank until blackout, until we were absolutely smashed and fell asleep ... and then at 1st XV parties it carried on like that.

"Other people my age go through the same struggle except they're just not in the spotlight."

When asked if he was an alcoholic, he replied: "Yeah, because I've had so many problems with alcohol."

The 26-year-old moved back home with his mother Deb Guildford a month ago.

"She's pretty awesome, she's seen me in some pretty bad states."

The former Napier Boys' High student has a 10-month contract with Sydney-based Waratahs in the new Super 18 competition in 2016 and has a deal with the Bay in the ITM Cup later in the year.

"I don't blame anyone but myself. This is a last chance for me and if I stuff it up then it's game over. I know how hard it's going to be but I don't want to be living the life I've lived for the past six years because it's been pretty average."

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union did not respond to requests for comment last night.

-Guildford will fight reality TV star Art Green in the Fight For Life charity boxing match in Hamilton on December 5.