THE NEW Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) will give disgraced All Blacks winger Zac Guildford external support to help him overcome a problem with alcohol after a drunken rampage in the Cook Islands last week.
Guildford arrived back in New Zealand early yesterday after Cook Islands police allowed him to leave the country following his rampage when he stormed into a Rarotonga bar naked, bleeding and punched two customers late last week.
Local media also reported that Guildford had verbally harassed a Cooks Islands national representative triathlete while under the influence of alcohol when he was on the islands.
“From an employer’s perspective, the events in Rarotonga have been incredibly disappointing and Zac needs to be accountable for his actions,” NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said in a statement.
“This will involve Zac going through our misconduct process over the coming weeks.
“However, it is fairly clear that there are some very big issues involved here, and rugby cannot provide all the solutions on our own. We are working with a professional counselling organisation which will provide guidance and input as to the next steps for the coming days, weeks and months.”
The 22-year-old Guildford, a member of New Zealand’s World Cup winning squad, has previously come under fire for drink-related incidents while in camp with the All Blacks and he said he had a problem with alcohol.
“The last few months I have had a bit of a problem with drinking and I need to address that, and all I can do now is move forward and put some positive steps in place with the good support group I have,” Guildford told reporters at Auckland airport.
“My actions were not that of a professional sportsman, which I’m disappointed with. I just want to get home and sort myself out.”
Elsewhere, despite signing a four-your deal last weekend to stay on as Wales’ defence coach, Shaun Edwards has not ruled out joining England’s coaching team at some stage in the future.
The highly-rated 45-year-old, writing in his column in the Guardian, said: “The Ts have been crossed and the Is dotted, so for the next four years, until at least the 2015 World Cup in England, I’ll be with Wales. Adds a bit of spice to life doesn’t it? But there are bound to be those who say: ‘Why not England?’ Well, the simple answer is that they didn’t ask.
“Some time, a bit further down the line, there may come a time when I get to wear the red rose. It is something I would enjoy because, after all, I’m English and representing your country is what you aspire to. However, at the moment I don’t want to talk about England.”
Wales flanker Dan Lydiate hopes the country can give “legend” Shane Williams the perfect send-off in his final Test against Australia on December 3rd.
Head coach Warren Gatland yesterday confirmed that arch-finisher Williams, who has a record 57 tries for Wales, will start against the Wallabies if fit, as he looks to end his illustrious international career on a winning note.
The 34-year-old Ospreys three-quarter had initially planned to retire from Test rugby following the World Cup in New Zealand, but has been persuaded to say his farewells in front of the Millennium Stadium crowd.
Lydiate, who was just 12 years of age when Williams made his Test bow against France in 2000, was full of praise for a man who will go down alongside the likes of Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies as one of the greatest players to ever don the red jersey.
Lydiate said: “The best way to sum him up it to say that he is a legend. Whenever he gets his hands on the ball you always think that something will happen and to play alongside him has been awesome.”
Gatland had earlier confirmed that Williams will be among the 26-man panel and is set for a place in the staring XV. “He has been a magnificent servant, not just to Welsh rugby, but to the world game and fans who believe he deserves a magnificent send-off will not be disappointed.”
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