Rugby: Waratahs set to sign Zac Guildford

Hawkes Bay's Zac Guildford trybound during the Ranfurly Shield match between Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa Bush on July 9, 2015 in Napier. Photo / Getty Images.

Troubled All Blacks winger Zac Guildford appears set to resurrect his Super Rugby career with the Waratahs.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is set to throw a lifeline to Guildford, signing the 11-test All Black as a marquee import for next season.

Guildford played under Gibson at the Crusaders before leaving behind a turbulent career in New Zealand and joining French club Clermont Auvrgene midway through 2014.

After seeking an early release from the Top 14 club halfway through a two-year deal, Guildford said that exit helped him finally discover the balance needed in his life.

Guildford has been playing for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand but has reconnected with Gibson and it is understood terms have been agreed for Guildford to join the Tahs. Contracts are yet to be finalised.

Recruiting Guildford for his first Tahs squad is a major roll of the dice for Gibson, due to the winger's long history of trouble with alcohol.

Playing rugby in France was "too testing" for Guildford who returned home to Napier in May.

"Unfortunately couldn't return to my best rugby at Clermont and thought it was time to move on and be closer to family," Guildford said at the time. "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."

Guildford admitted in 2013 he was an alcoholic after a drunken assault at a party saw him enter a rehab facility to deal with longstanding issues on the booze.

Guildford's contrition and confrontation of his problems helped him narrowly avoid the sack by the New Zealand Rugby Union, who were fed up after years of alcohol-related incidents.