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'If I didn't leave the country then and get home to my support, I wouldn't be here any more'
By Online Editors
Former All Black Zac Guildford has opened up to Woman's Day on the suicidal thoughts that forced him back to New Zealand following a tormented rugby career plagued by depression and drug dependence.
Guildford, who now lives in Hamilton, was offered an opportunity to play at Nevers in France late last year, and after originally 'jumping at it', turned it down due to his mental health.
"I thought I'd resurrect my professional career and iron out all the stuff I'd done wrong in the past," Guildford told Woman's Day. "But the pressure was too much. I was having suicidal thoughts. I knew if I didn't leave the country then and get home to my support, I wouldn't be here any more."
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Guildford said he still hadn't processed his father's death by the time the Rugby World Cup came around in 2011.
Woman's Day reported Guildford developed a secret thousand-dollar-a-week drug habit while playing for Clermont Auvergne in France in 2015, where he was caught with cocaine in his system and had his contract terminated.
Guildford now works as a teaching aide for teens with intellectual disabilities and said he is finally feeling happy.
In February, the 10-test international winger was rushed to hospital in Phuket, Thailand after being involved in a motorbike accident while celebrating his 30th birthday. He was reportedly riding pillion on a Harley Davidson when he fell off the back and suffered severe grazes to his back, hand and backside.
Although now living in Hamilton, he was not selected for this year's Waikato provincial side. But he was back in the public eye in August when appearing on Celebrity Treasure Island.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
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I think we need to get innovative with the new laws.
Now red cards are only 20 minutes, Razor should send Finau on a head hunting mission to hospitalise their 10 with a shoulder to the chops.
Give the conspiracy theorists a win.
Go to commentsEngland played well enough to win but couldnt score when they needed to and couldnt defend a couple of X-Factor moments from Telea which was ultimately the difference. They needed to hold the ball more and make the AB's make more tackles. Territorially they were good for the first 60. Defending their lead and playing pragmatic rugby in the last 20 was silly. The AB's always had the potential to come back. England still have a long way to go, definite progress would have been shown had they won but it seems they are still stuck where they were shortly after the six nations and their tour to NZ
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