Disgraced Guildford: ‘I’m sorry, I need help’
14 Nov 2011
All Black winger Zac Guildford has publicly apologised for his disgraceful behaviour at a bar in the Cook Islands last week.
Last Thursday, the 22-year-old allegedly staggered naked into a bar in Rarotonga, where he’s staying with family and friends for a wedding. A barmaid confirmed that Guildford was bleeding from the forehead upon arrival and assaulted two customers.
This was not the first time Guildford has been involved in an alcohol-related incident. It is reported that the winger also took part in a heavy drinking session following the All Blacks’ 25-20 Tri-Nations defeat to the Wallabies last September.
In a recent press release sent out by the NZRU, Guildford said: ‘Firstly, I would like to apologise for my behaviour here in Rarotonga on Thursday night. I have no clear recollection of the events of that night but there is no doubt that my behaviour was unacceptable and I am hugely embarrassed by what happened.
‘I want to apologise to the people who I was involved with and offended that night, the patrons and staff who witnessed my behaviour, and the Cook Island people. I am truly sorry for what I did.
‘I also want to apologise to my family for the embarrassment my actions have caused.
‘I don’t want any sympathy for the situation I have ended up in, but I am thankful for the support I have received so far from so many people. It’s obvious that I need help and I want to get home and to get that help as soon as I can. I need to sort myself out.’
All Black speedster Cory Jane and former wing Jonah Lomu have come out in support.
‘There’s a lot of pressure. He grew up loving rugby and all of a sudden you’re in the spotlight in New Zealand. You still want to live life. A year ago you could go out and people wouldn’t call the media. Since the World Cup the media has been a bit more hard out,’ Jane told stuff.co.nz.
Lomu said: ‘He just needs to find himself, he’s still very young. ‘We’ve all been there at times – you need to let your hair down, but some people get carried away. One thing’s for sure, he’ll learn from this. He will be disappointed.’
Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said the bar incident was ‘rock bottom’ for Guildford and believes the wing can only get better.
‘It’s extremely sad. He’s a bloody good boy, he’s a good kid, and he’s just struggling with it,’ said Blackadder. ‘They say that you can’t help someone until they’re prepared to help themselves or they hit rock bottom, and I think this is what’s happened here.
‘One thing that I do think he needs is to have rugby back in his life. He needs support of all his family and his friends, and he needs to be in a good supportive environment.’
69 Comments
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14 Nov 2011, 19:31 pm
@Helen(Helen)-50: There are plenty of alcoholics in our neck of the woods too. Although i do get that the “He will be disappointed” bit is quite precious, it’s really just sad when someone with talent farks up his or her life because of an addiction. And it has nothing to do with nationality.
14 Nov 2011, 21:52 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-7: Don’t forget Byron Kelleher. Also had a penchant for getting pissed and punching people.
14 Nov 2011, 21:59 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-12: If you read the news even badly, you’d have seen that he received a suspended sentence and has recently signed temporarily for Bordeaux Eagles.
14 Nov 2011, 22:20 pm
It is not Zac’s fault – the sponsors are to blame:
One sports writer believes the labelling of Zac Guildford as an alcoholic is premature and irresponsible.
Richard Boock says in a society where sport is saturated with alcohol sponsorship and advertising, it’s hypocritical to say it’s Guildford with the problem.
“I don’t think anyone can condone what Zac Guildford did or make excuses for him, but the fact is sport is just so saturated in alcohol advertising that it is commonplace and it’s normality.”
He says alcohol companies use sport as a Trojan horse to get their message across.
“They splash it all over players’ uniforms, over competition names, the All Blacks are sponsored by Steinlager, Speights plays a huge part in local provincial rugby, it’s everywhere you look and that’s how they get their product in front of people.”
Zac Guildford has apologised for his drunken rampage in Rarotonga which he doesn’t remember.
14 Nov 2011, 23:00 pm
Let’s not forget the wise men dropped Hosea Gear to keep this idiot in the RWC squad. Despicable behavior, I don’t care if his father died 2 years ago. Guildford should not be wearing the black jersey again for a long, long time.
14 Nov 2011, 23:20 pm
Really. This is news in SA? Wasnt an ex Bokke player MURDERED recently? And some of you want to split hairs about Zacs drunken antics as if they were comparable offenses. Pffft! Moral despots!
15 Nov 2011, 01:01 am
The disasterous effects of alcoholism on familys is widespread. It is so sad. We can only support and love those who are victims of this disease. Get well Zac so you can turn your life around and live your life like a real man.
15 Nov 2011, 01:17 am
so the oke got a bit tanked up and ran kaalgat thru the cook islands – jeezus h ******, wtf is all this soul-searching for, give him another one, just keep his twallie out of my drink ek se.
15 Nov 2011, 05:33 am
Yep, I can see that Zac worded his statement himself…
What pressure does he have versus some oke having to eat out of a dustbin?
The boy needs to get some perspective and man up. But if that’s how he wants to roll he must be prepared to deal with the outcome.
15 Nov 2011, 05:54 am
Di ckhead………needs to grow up!
15 Nov 2011, 05:55 am
@Nuk3Fr33k1w1(Nuk3Fr33k1w1)-56:
Who is comparing the incidents? You, you faaking a-hole!
15 Nov 2011, 07:08 am
Poppa69
That was despicable.That was cheap.
Don’t care what anyone else has said etc there was no need to bring the incident of one of the proudest brother to wear a Bok jersey into this.
I shall not be engaging in a debate of any sort with u from here on out.
15 Nov 2011, 07:20 am
Poppa doing a Guildford by the sounds of it. When is he going to admit he needs help as well?
15 Nov 2011, 07:32 am
Goes to show that money does not buy class. Disgusting behaviour from a RWC winning All Black.
Those convict genetics are hard to break away from aren’t they. Pathetic.
I hope the kids don’t worship this guy…or at least not anymore.
15 Nov 2011, 08:07 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-64:
Nah, there are plenty of AB’s better than he will ever be to hold up as a hero, and that is just in his position.
15 Nov 2011, 08:08 am
Ah Poep’s true colours show through.
Is Guildford actually a Kiwi or one of those poached PI’s? Lured to NZ away from family and friends, rapid fame, far from home, hard drinking fellow team mates, no stability, down toilet. RIP (Rest in Piss). Such is NZ rugby.
15 Nov 2011, 09:20 am
@husky(husky)-66:
NZ used 32 players at the RWC.
How many of those “poached” PI’s did the AB’s need to win the RWC?
15 Nov 2011, 15:57 pm
Aaah Poppa69…the slimiest piece of trash on here, with the exception perhaps of Shaun…or capo….
Are we really surprised?? Considering he makes a hobby of mocking murders, rape, child abuse etc …. whatafuckingasshole
15 Nov 2011, 15:59 pm
Yea getting hammered and streaking is one thing…hell who hasn’t…but then you start assaulting senior citizens and harassing women, it takes a more serious turn…sounds like a World(Wanker)Champion to me…..
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