Rugby: International 'lifeline' for Guildford

Zac Guildford, scoring against Wairarapa Bush, will make his long awaited return to Super Rugby next season. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay's prodigal son is on the move again. Former All Black and current Magpie Zac Guildford is set to ink a deal with the New South Wales Waratahs for next year's Super Rugby season.

The move comes after a solitary season back in the Bay and a relatively unsuccessful stint in France with Top 14 side Clermont.

Reports in Australia have said new Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has thrown the 26-year-old a lifeline back to the international scene.

Gibson has been involved with Guildford in the past, when he was an assistant coach with the Crusaders.

Michael Cheika's promotion to the national job sees Gibson placed in charge for the next season.

The Waratahs have lost wings Peter Betham and Taqele Naiyaravoro to overseas contracts, giving Guildford the opportunity to be a regular starter for the Sydney franchise.

Napier Technical premier coach Cyril Whitburn said the move would be a good one for Guildford to have another crack at the black jersey.

"There is a fair bit of competition for that spot at the moment."

Mr Whitburn said with All Black wingers "dropping like flies" there was every chance Guildford could force his way on to the plane to England in October.

Waisake Naholo has already been ruled out of the World Cup, Cory Jane and Nehe Milner-Skudder are battling injuries, Israel Dagg is struggling for consistent form and Julian Savea sat out the Springboks test with asthma concerns.

The 11-test All Black played one game for Tech this year, where Whitburn admits the star wing was a bit frustrated at the lack of structure.

"We wish him well and the club will always welcome him back with open arms. It would be great to see him back in black."

Guildford told Hawke's Bay Today earlier this month that he took for granted the way New Zealand teams play the game.

He said the emphasis on set piece and kicking in the Northern Hemisphere made for a dull style of play.

"We like to throw the ball around and have some fun, which doesn't happen over there [in France]. I think I play much better rugby under this brand."

Player's turbulent time:

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. 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. Signs a two-year deal with French club Clermont Auvergne.
2015: 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.
Returns to New Zealand and the Hawke's Bay Magpies.
Set to join the NSW Waratahs for the 2016 Super Rugby season.