I must have missed something. Because the press conference called by All Blacks management on Zac Guildford’s drinking problem revealed nothing remotely newsworthy.
Unless you’re in the league of low-life Queenstown bouncer Jonathan Dixon – the bloke responsible for posting the illegally obtained CCTV footage of Mike Tindall.
Shand tells us Guildford got sloshed after his Tri-Nations shocker. And Shand says Guildford admits having an alcohol problem that he is working through.
So what business is that of the rugby public?
And since when did management get off on humiliating players as part of the remedy for recovery?
Manager Darren Shand claimed the conference was necessary to dampen so-called speculation around the issue.
Was there really such a frenzy that warranted Guildford’s public trial by media? Because given the facts as presented, this issue was a dead duck and destined to die a natural death.
Said manager Shand, “In this environment we like to support players. Let’s keep this in context, it was a minor incident. He breached an agreement he had with the coaches. He didn’t breach any team protocols. He just purely breached an expectation the coaching group and senior management had with him.”
In this environment we like to support players? Garbage. Hanging one of your boys out to dry in front of a global audience for breaching what amounts to nothing more than a private arrangement is one of the most appalling acts ever mandated by management.
Shand implores the media to keep things in “context”.
Hypocrite!
Context would have involved Shand issuing a brief statement informing media there was no substance to the speculation, whatever it was. End of story. No names. No details. Because there aren’t any.
The most painful part of this interview was watching Guildford being forced to endure it while Shand pontificated. Gosh. If Guildford ever needed a reason to drink, that was it.
Zac delivered his confession on cue before being ushered away to focus on what really matters, the rugby.
But he’ll be well advised to avoid all television, newspapers, Internet and social media until the pinnacle tournament is over.
Because Shand just made Zac Guildford a household name for all the wrong reasons. As if the young underperformer wasn’t under enough pressure already.
Keep your chin up buddy. Here’s hoping you find New Zealand’s rugby public a more ‘supportive environment’ than the one your manager lives in. I think you will.
winston
Guest
"drinking before the brisbane game" Well that would explain his performance on the night
Damien
Guest
SBW wasn't too slow to play in the backs during his league days. Funny enough SBW & Roy Asotasi (who is a prop) were meant to be one of, if not the quickest players over 40 for the Bulldogs in 2004. SBW's debut in the NRL was at centre. He had a blinder then and alot of the talk was which position was his best fit. The Bulldogs then decided the 2nd row was his best position.
Funk
Guest
Got to say I had a good laugh at $BW on the wing....He was too slow to play in the backs in his league days but is fast enough to play on the wing for the abs?
rae1
Guest
lol,good one!
rae1
Guest
Agree 100%.The guy is unable to punch through the line,still a bit green,maybe next cup.
Stephen
Guest
There were rumours of zac drinking before the brisbane game, etc,etc. The management headed it off early and sharp. Good job by them. Zacs a normal bloke who had a few after a bad game.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
If he broke the law to make money then it certainly should be condemned.
JamesB
Guest
Complete agree, and this actually calls into question the quality of the AB's management team. They way they have handled this is quite unbelievable! This should have been handled behind closed doors rather than a public admonishment of a young boy. How is that going to benefit him in anyway? A few question marks have to be raised about Shand. I was more concerned that later on in the news item he fronted an interview looking like he hadn't had a shave in two days and was wearing a track suit. Acceptable if you are the coach, but the manager of the AB's in the professional era? Surely he should be presentable and wearing a suit at all times in this role. Not very becoming of the teams manager, and I think NZRFU CEO should take issue with this.
zhenry
Guest
Support DS on this. This article borders on the irresponsible. Such was the internet gabble the ABs got in to protect ZG. Dont think the AB management would purposely set out to shame ZG. think that is very far fetched.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Like most people I could care less, but there were all sorts of rumours flying around on twitter so they decided to call a press conference about it.
WQ
Guest
All good sheek, have you thought about Politics?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I still don't understand why this is being mentioned at all. He got pissed after a lose. Who gives a flying F#@$%
ScotandProud
Guest
Unless he broke into someone's room put on women's clothing eyeliner suspendies and a bra mixed his whiskey and vodka with acid and refused to let the fire brigade coax him down from the roof until he had official recognition that he was indeed Jesus Christ as well as permission from Brisbane air traffic control that he could fly home from said roof I fail to see what he's done wrong. Put his arm round GH and said "seriously.. seriously.. you're my best mate" 25 X in a row? Tell Shand "I like your woman, everyone says she's a bit fat and a little bit ugly but I think she's actually.. oh wait.. BLEEEE-aaaaaRGH!!"? I think the latter.
dc
Guest
Zac had his chance and blew it in two big games. Henry hoped he would be a finisher, off the shoulder style, but he freezes in the big moment. And he doesnt' have the 1-1 beating his man talent. Some one called him an energizer bunny. You can have a great workrate, but if you can't punch through the line, you are not going to make the All Blacks in Rugby World Cup 2011...Kahui and Dagg are set as wings, with cover from Toeava, Jane, and SBW. So its game over for Zac, sorry to say....
p.Tah
Guest
Leave the English out of this. They are rugby players, they are very tall. Everyone looks small to them. How were they to know this was such a unique bar? :)
Muzza
Guest
at least young Zac wasn't at a dwarf racing pub event with the rest of the lads. Imagine how THAT would go down with Mr. Shand and Co.
Muzza
Guest
Hear, hear.
NC
Guest
What a ridiculous situation. I follow the RWC obsessively. this guildford story was news to me. stupid move from AB management who sound more like a division of the Temperance League with all the attendant self-righteousness. Unless there was a move from another team to deflect criticism of their drinking by threatening to give this some air. I dunno.
Manu
Guest
I think this happened because Kahui is playing so well at wing that they dont have a place for Zac. This is just an excuse/reason why they dont want to play Zac in any of the games. He should of been used against Japanm to get his confidence back. When he wasnt named in that team then he isnt good enough to play against the harder teams either. Management covering thier asses about a bad selection. Dont need Zac or any wingers because they want to use centers and fullbacks for wingers
darwin stubby
Guest
But the matter was initially handled in house .... this happened in Brisbane weeks ago - the mgmt dealt with it then and moved on ... they've only done this now to avoid a sh!tstorm of questions and distractions prior to taking on the french - because it was coming out into the public arena - I'm pretty sure none of the AB mgmt or players wanted this aired but their hand was forced so they went onto the front foot do people honestly think if the Shand hadn't of gone public yesterday nothing would have happened ?