Suspended Guildford quits drinking

Zac Guildford. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Zac Guildford has vowed to give up alcohol until the end of 2012 as he bids to get his life and rugby career back on track.

The All Blacks and Crusaders wing was today suspended for four weeks by the New Zealand Rugby Union following a misconduct charge relating to his drunken behaviour in the Cook Islands in November.

With the ban including the Crusaders' three Super Rugby pre-season fixtures against the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Rebels, Guildford will miss only one competition game - the match against the Blues at Eden Park on February 24.

Guildford had already been warned about his drinking, fronting a press conference in Christchurch during the World Cup to apologise for his behaviour when under the influence, before going on to allegedly assault two patrons in a Rarotonga bar and harass triathlete Kelly Pick while in the Cook Islands for a wedding.

He was not available for comment today but said in a statement released by the NZRU: "I am embarrassed by what has happened, but I know that I let down the many people who support me. I am focused on getting myself into the place I need to be when I return to rugby next year."

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said Guildford had travelled to Christchurch from Hawke's Bay for a meeting earlier this week and would re-join the franchise on January 9 when the other World Cup All Blacks would also assemble.

Blackadder said Guildford had vowed to give up drinking until at least the end of next year which he was pleased about. "What he went through is hopefully going to be a life-changing experience," Blackadder said. "For example he's not going to be drinking alcohol for a year and he's getting some really good therapy.

"There's no second chance to learn here. I think that's really clear. There are no more misconducts, if there's anything remotely close then he's gone."

The NZRU's general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Guildford had agreed that professional treatment and counselling, which the wing would pay for, was an essential part of his rehabilitation.

"Taking players out of rugby is not something we do lightly," Sorensen said. "But we have taken into account the fact that with regard to alcohol-related behaviour, Zac does not have an exemplary record.

"On this occasion, he embarrassed himself, his family, his teammates, and New Zealand rugby. We believe Zac brought the game into disrepute and the sanctions reflect the gravity of the situation and the need for a real pathway to recovery."

Blackadder said the Crusaders had been consulted over Guildford's penalty, which includes a fine, and he had no problem with the suspension despite the fact it could impact on the franchise. "We support the NZRU with their stance. We've put our agendas aside," he said. "We'll go through this process with him, stand by him, and suck it up like everyone else. Regardless of what the suspension is, I think what is important is that Zac gets the help he needs."

Guildford, who will train as usual with the Crusaders during his suspension, is likely to be fast-tracked back into the starting XV for the team's round two match against the Highlanders in Dunedin on March 3, just in time to face Hosea Gear, the player he kept out of the World Cup squad.