Todd Blackadder discloses details of conversation with Zac Guildford following drunk incident – Rugby News
Christchurch bases New Zealand Super Rugby Franchise, Crusaders, head coach, Todd Blackadder, confirmed that he has held a telephonic conversation with their young and talented winger, Zac
Guildford, who is news courtesy of his Friday November 11, incident at Cook Islands.
The conversation was confirmed by APNZ news service on Sunday, November 13.
Blackadder was quoted as saying that Guildford is deeply hurt and ashamed about the whole incident. He added that Guildford did not remember the events of Friday on the Island and later in
the bar.
Blackadder further added, “Just talking to him, he has hit rock bottom. I think 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.”
Earlier on Friday, All Blacks world cup winning international winger Guildford was found roaming naked on the island. He delivered few punches to a person who offered help to him. Following
this, he entered a bar where he hit an old man, who was celebrating his 60th birthday on Friday night in the bar. Later he jumped on to the stage, before running havoc in the kitchen where the kitchen staff managed to get a hold of him.
Greytown born Guildford joined Crusaders in 2010. He has been associated with drinking problems but was believed that Crusaders had managed to control it.
Blackadder associated Guildford drinking problem to the loss of his father, who died during the final match of the 2009 Junior World Championship in Tokyo. Guildford was playing in the under
20s New Zealand team as they defeated England to clinch the title, as Guildford lost his father.
Blackadder added, “There's a real issue here that he's (Guilford) obviously suppressed.” He stressed on the need of the specialist to overcome the anger and emotions with which Guildford is
struggling. He expressed his confidence that Guilford will join the rest of the Crusaders squad for their 2012 Super Rugby season’s, pre season training.
Earlier on Sunday, New Zealand Rugby Union has announced that they will assist the Guildford once the exact details of the event are known.
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