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All Blacks winger Zac Guildford has no recollection of a booze-fuelled night in Raratonga during which he is alleged to have punched two men after storming into a bar naked.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder spoke to the 22-year-old after the incident at the popular Trader Jacks bar on Friday night and said he was ashmamed of his actions.
“He can’t remember anything but he acknowledges that it happened. He has hit rock bottom,” Blackadder told the New Zealand Herald.
“I think that for the very first time, Zac has acknowledged that he’s got an issue, that he can’t control his drinking, and it’s obviously causing a lot of issues, not only for himself but also his family as well.”
Guildford was in Rarotonga for the wedding of a rugby clubmate and was reportedly bleeding from wounds suffered earlier in the day when he arrived at the bar.
He allegedly punched one man who asked if he needed help, then hit another man at the bar across the back of the head.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) says it will do all it can to help Guildford.
NZRU professional rugby general manager Neil Sorensen says Guildford has been called before the NZRU three times in the last 18 months.
“He’s had some alcohol-related issues in the past and we’ve worked hard with Zac… Many people have, and we’ll continue to do so. He’s a good young man.”
Sorensen said news of Guildford’s behaviour was disappointing, and the NZRU was trying to establish exactly what had happened.
Guildford was on leave, but the NZRU still expected players to take a commonsense approach to their behaviour and alcohol consumption, Sorensen said.
“The key thing is you can’t bring the game into disrepute. And whether he’s on leave or in the middle of a campaign, that would come into effect.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.