(also published on
Pink Rugby)
A collective sigh was heard in Crusader-land last Thursday, when Zac
Guildford was officially
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| He's baaaaaack! |
reinstated to the franchise. After an off
field incident in January, Zac voluntarily stood down from the team in
order to seek help for alcohol issues.
While those who support the red and blacks (including yours truly)
may have felt a sense of relief, a lot of people were also of the ‘NZRU,
what ARE you thinking, giving this kid yet another chance, after he’s
let you down time after time’ persuasion. My Dad (a staunch Highlanders
man, born and bred in Otago) was part of this group, going as far as to
tell me, “If he apologises again… I hope his head explodes”.
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| Oh tattoos - how I have missed you! |
Zac’s (very pretty) head was in no danger of exploding however. The
very first question asked of him, during his 17 minute press conference
was “Zac, are you an alcoholic?”, a question to which he simply and
honestly replied “Yes,”. He added that he knew people’s patience was
getting thin, and there wasn’t even the slightest hint of an apology
given. Instead Zac said “I have a great acceptance of who I am” – which
appeared to be his new mantra, as several times during the press
conference, he mentioned the fact he now has a better understanding of
himself, as well as a greater acceptance of who he is as a person. As
an alcoholic.
What I got from his press conference (well, the second time I watched
it and managed to concentrate on what he was saying, rather than how
spectacularly good he is looking like the first time), is that the past
60 days for him have been full of self reflection and soul searching.
It seems that for the first time since he came onto the rugby scene in
2007, Zac is concentrating solely on himself. After leaving
Christchurch, Zac checked in for an intensive 28 day treatment for
alcohol addiction, and that, combined with the support he has obviously
received over the past two months, Zac seems to be a changed man.
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| the man does orange well! |
The Zac who was speaking at the press conference was a far more
mature, in control Zac than we have seen in his past
post-misconduct-hearing press conferences. Rather than talking about
how he had let his team, coaches, family, friends and country down, Zac
was accountable for his own actions. After stating that his actions
were his and his alone, he said “I don’t think I need sympathy, I’ve
made mistakes and now I’m looking forward,”. Zac went on to say “the
road I’ve been on for the last 60 days has been a happy and pleasant
one,” and that he is “in a good headspace now, the happiest [he's] been
in a long time actually”. All of this was said with such conviction and
strength that it was easy to see he meant it, and wasn’t saying it to
keep the powers that be happy.
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| ... looking particularly fit! |
Zac also alluded a lot to the fact he has a great support network
this time round, consisting not only of the professionals who are
helping him deal with being an alcoholic, but also his friends, family
and team mates. One must imagine that one of his biggest supporters
comes in the shape of his partner (and successful jockey), Samantha
Spratt. Sam stood up for her man in the media, an act which immediately
put me on ‘team Sam’ (which is hard considering the mere sight of the
man kills me… in a good way). Sam spoke out about Zac being
misrepresented and misunderstood by the media, saying “he is such a
great guy and it has been publicised that he is a monster,”, a fact
which was also repeated by others who spoke out for Zac. Sam then went
on to say that the media overlook all the positives about Zac, such as
how great he is with kids – including her 7 year old son.
I must agree with Sam here. At a Crusaders public training session
in 2012, Zac took time out to talk
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| All suited up and............. *shakes head*.. uhhh... |
to my (at the time) 5 year old
daughter (Gaby), and was then more than happy to get a photo taken with
her and her little friend. Zac never once showed signs of impatience,
and you could see that he wasn’t doing it to look good, he was doing it
because it’s the type of guy he is. This was the same training where
Israel Dagg led my daughter stray, convincing her to go onto the field
during a media conference – then stood laughing and egging her on. In
December, at a charity cricket event, a friend and I were witness to Zac
hanging out and playing cricket with a 5 year old cancer sufferer –
Lachie, who he has developed a special bond with over the last year.
The bond is so special and strong that Lachie’s parents also spoke to
the media in defense of Zac, while most were bagging him and calling for
his contract to be torn up.
It’s easy to forget that while Zac is a professional rugby player, he
IS also just a 24 year year old man, who enjoys doing what other 24
year olds do. It is a fact that a lot of people Zac’s age enjoy binge
drinking – something which is undeniably a major problem in New
Zealand. ‘The old Zac’ (as Zac referred to who he was prior to the
events which unfolded in January) did what thousands of Kiwi men and
women do every weekend, but his public profile meant that any
indescretion brought him into the spotlight. Zac said himself, with
regard to drinking, that it was “part of who I was growing up, we all
did it,”, and while it is certainly no excuse (and Zac wasn’t using the
point as an excuse), it is certainly something a lot of Kiwis can relate
to. I know that I can. I know that my sister can. I know that my
friends can.
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Looking very serious just prior to his
press conference |
My hope is that as Zac continues on his road to recovery, he will
become an inspiration and role model to other young Kiwis, who will
hopefully realise that it’s okay to ask for help, or to admit that you
have a problem. It’s one thing for young people to be TOLD that it’s
okay to ask for help, that it’s okay to admit you have a problem, and to
be told there is a way through it, but being told that by someone they
can relate to, and even admire, may potentially make a difference. Of
course Zac Guildford can’t singlehandedly fix New Zealand’s binge
drinking culture, but if his speaking out can help steer one young (or
not so young) person down a better, more positive track – surely that
would be an accomplishment to be proud of.
It seems that Zac being given the go ahead to return to the Crusaders gave the men in red and black the morale boost they needed. Just two
days after it was made official that Zac would be returning, the team
went on to rack up their first win of the season, whipping the Bulls 6
tries to 1, in a 41-19 drubbing at home on Saturday night. Both
(captain) Kieran Read and (coach) Todd Blackadder made mention of the
fact that Zac had inspired the team when addressing them upon his
return, and that with Zac back in the fold it felt as if the Crusaders
were a family again. Toddy also went on to say there is no trust that
needs to be earnt back – the team are all behind Zac and they are
willing to do whatever it takes to help him on his journey.
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| Welcome back to the Crusaders, Zac! |
Zac spoke of rugby and of the Crusaders with such passion, that I
have a feeling we are going to be seeing not only a new and improved
‘Zac Guildford, the person’, but also a new and improved ‘Zac Guildford,
the rugby player’. If that is the case, it is something that could pay
dividends for the Crusaders… and create massive headaches for their
opponents. Perhaps this new, improved, responsible, accountable (and
don’t forget spectacularly good looking!) Zac Guildford can do his part
to bring the Super XV trophy back home to Crusader-land, for the first
time since 2008.
