Rugby: Waratahs will do fine for now

Zac Guildford

Hawke's Bay's former All Black winger Zac Guildford hasn't ruled out a return to a New Zealand Super Rugby franchise in the future.

"One day I want to play for a New Zealand Super team again but playing for the Waratahs alongside the likes of Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale is certainly an exciting opportunity ... and Daryl Gibson has been good for me over the years," Guildford said after signing his one-season deal with the Waratahs yesterday.

The former Crusaders and Hurricanes player was referring to former Crusaders assistant coach Gibson who will be the Waratahs head coach next year following Michael Cheika's promotion to the Wallabies head coach job. Guildford, 26, will link up with the Waratahs after the Magpies ITM Cup season and then return to the Magpies for the 2016 season.

"Hopefully playing for the Waratahs will help bring some confidence back to my footy," Guildford said.

The 11-test All Black who played 61 games for the Crusaders from 2010-14 and 18 for the Hurricanes during the 2008 and 2009 seasons is about to start his eighth ITM Cup season with the Magpies. He missed the 2014 season as he was playing for French Top 14 side Clermont.

Guildford, who has played 71 first class games for the Magpies, said there is a good team culture within this year's Magpies environment.

"I've been a bit rusty at times but I had a good second half against Mid Canterbury the other day. I'm looking for more improvement this week as we prepare for the weekend," Guildford said referring to the team's final Cup rehearsal against Premiership champions Taranaki which will be played as the curtain-raiser to the Maddison Trophy final between defending champions Havelock North and Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports.

He ranked this season's backline as the best he had been involved with during his time with the Magpies.

"I know it's a big call with the likes of Shoey [Jason Shoemark] retired but it's a pretty lethal backline when you think about Ihaia West, Andrew Horrell and Richard Buckman along with our speedsters on the wings. Hopefully I can play well at fullback and we've got good back-up players with the likes of Billy Ropiha."

Guildford added last week's Magpies pre-season camp in Taupo was one of the best he had been on with the team.

"They made us run some long distances but it was all character building."