Guildford welcome back on home turf

Magpies coach Craig Philpott spoke to Zac Guildford, pictured, this week and said he was happy to be coming home.

Former All Blacks and Magpies wing Zac Guildford is set to return to the Magpies fold, but has some work to do to cement a spot in the side.

Guildford has left French club Clermont Auvergne halfway through his two-year contract, citing personal problems and home-sickness.

His mother, Deborah, said the family was thrilled he was returning to New Zealand.

"We are all very excited," Mrs Guildford said.

"I'm not sure what his plans are yet but hopefully he is going to play for the Magpies again."

She travelled to France last year to watch her son play and said the brand of rugby did not suit his style.

"It will be great to see him playing some open running rugby again," she said.

Napier Technical premier coach Cyril Whitburn said he was unsure if 26-year-old Guildford would return to his home club but would welcome him back.

"He is a quality player and person so we certainly would not say no to him," Whitburn said.

Magpies coach Craig Philpott spoke to Guildford this week and said he was happy to be coming home.

"Zac is a bloody good guy and if he wants to come back he will be welcome.

"If he comes back it will be about what Zac can do for the team, not what the team can do for Zac," he said.

Philpott said Guildford's versatility made him an invaluable asset. However, there were still "a few pieces of the puzzle" to sort before he could confirm the player's return.

Clermont coach Frank Azema was bitterly disappointed to be losing Guildford. "Faced with personal problems, Zac could not stand the distance between here and New Zealand and he expressed his wish to join relatives," he wrote on the club website.

"We will keep contact with Zac and can only wish him to find in New Zealand all the stability and support necessary to help him find the right track," Azema said.

Guildford tweeted he had been unable to find his feet at Clermont and felt it was time to bid France adieu.

"Unfortunately couldn't return to my best rugby at Clermont and thought it was time to move on and be closer to family thank you for asm [awesome] fans," Guildford tweeted.

"Another opportunity for me to become fitter and mentally stronger. No point in thinking of what could of been time to look to the future."

The former Crusader and Hurricane was handed a lifeline by Clermont when the 11-test All Black lost his New Zealand contract after repeated behaviour problems and battles with alcohol.

Zac Guildford's mixed bag
2007: Part of winning NZ team at U19 Rugby World Cup.

2008: Again part of winning NZ team at the Junior World Championships.

2009: Hat-trick of Junior Rugby World Championships, marred by the death of his father Robert.
Selected for the All Blacks. He made his debut against Wales on November 7.

2010: Wins Commonwealth Games gold as part of NZ sevens squad.

2011: Selected in the Rugby World Cup squad; accused in November of a drunken, naked assault during an alcohol-fuelled series of incidents in Rarotonga. He apologised for his actions and admitted alcoholism.

2012: Suspended for four weeks of the Super Rugby season to undergo alcohol counselling.

2013: A booze and gambling-fuelled night ends with him assaulting a party-goer at a Christchurch house.

2014: Form and fitness issues led to Guildford's contract being terminated by the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby. He signs a two-year deal with French club Clermont Auvergne.

2015: He receives a severe jaw injury when he and teammate Jonathan Davies are attacked in Clermont while out getting a kebab; he is granted an early release from his contract with Clermont to return to New Zealand Rugby.