Zac Guildford

Former All Black winger Zac Guildford is likely to cancel his plans to play Super Rugby for the Waratahs next year.

Guildford, 26, signed a 1-year contract with the Waratahs outfit last week but last night said there was a chance he would exercise an out clause.

“I’ve had a rethink and I’ve decided it might be better to stay closer to home and family and friends.”

The dull style of play in the northern hemisphere and the need to be closer to family and friends were the reasons the 11-test All Black cut short a contract with French Top 14 side Clermont this year.

“There could be a bit of interest from New Zealand Super teams too,” Guildford said.

After what he described as a rusty start to his Magpies return, the former Hurricanes and Crusaders Super player didn’t take long to recapture some of his old form in the team’s four pre-season fixtures.

Guildford has proven to be a big hit at Magpies promotional activities.

Last week he said he was excited about the opportunity to play under his former Crusaders assistant coach Daryl Gibson at the Waratahs as Gibson had been good to him over the years. He was also excited about the opportunity to play alongside the likes of talented Wallabies Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale.

Gibson will be the Waratahs head coach next year following Michael Cheika’s promotion to the Wallabies head coach job.

Guildford played the first of his 71 first-class games for the Magpies in 2007. He played 61 games for the Crusaders from 2010-14 and 18 for the Hurricanes during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He is a three-time world age-group champion and was a 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist with the All Black Sevens.

Last month his Napier Technical premier team manager Cyril Whitburn said with the All Black wingers “dropping like flies” there was every chance Guildford could force his way into the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.

While that’s a long shot, the fact he is seriously considering giving the Waratahs a miss suggests we shouldn’t be surprised if we see Guildford pulling on an All Black jersey again next year or the year after.

Remember, the All Black Sevens will probably have at least one or two All Black wingers busy next year. Add a couple of injuries and the need for experience and Guildford may well be in demand from Steve Hansen and co.

It’s fair to say Guildford won’t lack motivational ammunition when the Magpies’ ITM Cup season begins with a Ranfurly Shield defence against Northland at Napier’s McLean Park on Sunday.

NZ Herald