Zac Guildford

Not to be confused with Zach Gilford.
Zachary Guildford
Guildford in 2011
Full name Zachary Robert Guildford
Date of birth 8 February 1989
Place of birth Greytown, Wellington, New Zealand
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
School Napier Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Wing
New Zealand No. 1097
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2014- Clermont 15 (15)
correct as of 31 January 2015.
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2007–14 Hawke's Bay 68 (195)
correct as of 25 October 2013.
Super Rugby
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2008–09
2010–14		 Hurricanes
Crusaders		 18
61		 (35)
(110)
correct as of 28 July 2013.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2009–12
2013–		 New Zealand
Māori All Blacks		 11
1		 (30)
(5)
correct as of 3 November 2013.

Zachary Robert Guildford (born 8 February 1989) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for French side Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 competition.

He previously played in Super Rugby for the Hurricanes and the Crusaders and domestic ITM Cup rugby for Hawke's Bay. He was selected for the All Blacks end of year tour in 2009 and the 2010 Steinlager Series. Guildford played for the All Blacks during the victorious 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Early life

Zac Guildford was born on 8 February 1989 in Greytown, New Zealand. He is the son of Deborah and Robert Guildford. He has one younger brother, Victor. When Zac was 10 years old his family moved to Napier, Hawke's Bay where he went through the rugby academy system. He attended Napier Boys' High School. Zac's inclusion in the New Zealand All Blacks came after a remarkable national representative career with New Zealand Secondary Schools, Under 19 and two seasons with the New Zealand Under 20.

International

Guildford first represented New Zealand at the U19 World Cup in 2007. He then represented New Zealand at the JWC in 2008. In his final season at International age grade level the following year, Guildford again played for New Zealand, in that year's JWC hosted in Japan. Tragically, his father Robert died suddenly shortly after the conclusion of the Final against England.[1]

Guildford was first selected for the All Blacks for the end of year tour in 2009 and was the youngest player in the squad. He made his All Blacks Debut against Wales on 7 November 2009 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. In 2010 he was selected for the Steinlager Series. Guildford was selected for the All Blacks tri-nations squad the following year and was later selected in the 30-man All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup squad, though he did not play until New Zealand's final pool match of the tournament, where he contributed four tries to the All Blacks' 79-15 victory over Canada.[2] Guildford was then recalled into the All Blacks for the three test Ireland series where he played two more tests on the right wing. Guildford has been named in the thirty man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship (Four Nations featuring New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and South Africa).

Super Rugby

After a strong season with Hawke's Bay in the Air New Zealand Cup, Guildford was chosen for the Hurricanes 2008 season. Guildford managed to play six matches in the 2008 Super 14 season (even though he broke his arm pre-season), starting all of these matches except his first match against the Stormers. Guildford also managed to score three tries in his first season. In 2009 he played in 10 matches, most of them as a starter, scoring 4 tries. In 2009 he was secured by the Crusaders for the 2010 season.

Hawke's Bay

Guildford is one of the youngest players to play in the Air New Zealand Cup. He made his debut for Hawke's Bay in 2007 when he was only 18. Being the youngest player in the squad didn't stop him though, as he managed to play in twelve of the provinces matches in a year that they made the semi-finals. Guildford also managed to run in five tries for the season, two coming in the 30–26 win over Waikato. Guildford went on to be one of the leading try scorers in 2009 with 13 tries, most of them through his trade mark kick and chase.

Clermont Auvergne

In January 2014, it was announced that he signed a contract for two years (with the option of a third) with French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne.[3] Initially, he was supposed to join them at the conclusion of the 2014 Super Rugby season, but in May 2014, he was given an early release from his contract by the Crusaders.[4]

Sevens

Guildford was included in the New Zealand sevens squad that competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. They won the Gold Medal against Australia.

Controversy surrounding alcoholism

On 11 November 2011, Guildford was cited in Rarotonga,[5] where he was accused of drunken naked assaults during an alcohol-fuelled series of incidents.[6][7] He has since apologized for his actions and admitted to alcoholism.

References

  1. ↑ "Death casts shadow on under-20 rugby win". Stuff. New Zealand. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  2. ↑ "All Blacks run riot against Canada". ESPN. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne sign New Zealand winger Zac Guildford". Sky Sports. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Crusaders part ways with wing Zac Guildford". The Press. Fairfax. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  5. ↑ Zac Guildford in bar assault
  6. ↑ Guildford - I'm Truly Sorry
  7. ↑ 'Ashamed' Zac admits he has issue - Blackadder

External links