Guildford: No news could be good news
By KURT BAYER 7:31 PM Friday Jan 25, 2013
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
No news could be good news for embattled footballer Zac Guildford,
according to a close friend and housemate.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has yet to meet Guildford to discuss
allegations he assaulted a partygoer at a private address in
Christchurch after a drinking and gambling session a fortnight ago.
Stu Bailey, who took Guildford into his home after he ran naked and
bleeding into a Rarotongan bar in November 2011 before assaulting two
patrons, said the 23-year-old's supporters were surprised but pleased
the meeting had yet to occur.
"Everybody is more on the level now, which is a good thing. You're
best not to deal with things at the height of emotion," Mr Bailey
said. "I spoke to Zac this morning and he's good. He's got good
support around him, and that is important. There's still a process to
go through with Zac, with the drinking and what have you, and he's
aware of that."
Mr Bailey said the ten-cap All Black, who stood down from the
Crusaders voluntarily after the latest allegations emerged last
Sunday, had apologised to his alleged victim.
The victim did not want to press charges, and police were not called.
Mr Bailey has contacted the alleged victim's father on Guildford's
behalf and claims things have been patched up.
"We've had a good, open conversation and been able to sort out any
differences, if there were any," he said.
" He's happy with how we stand now. He said he's always been a fan of
Zac's as a footballer and how he plays the game. He's obviously sad
that this has occurred as well. We all are, no more than Zac, who's
now got to show everybody that he's prepared to change his ways."
A source close to Guildford said he had been drinking at a property
for "a couple of hours" before he left to go on a gambling and alcohol
"binge" on January 12.
When he returned to the house and the alleged assault occurred, he had
been "completely out of control", the un-named source said.
Guildford owned up to the incident to Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder
two days later.
Mr Bailey, 43, said Guildford was unsure when the NZRU meeting to
discuss his lucrative contract would take place.
But he knew a few overseas clubs were interested in the winger should
he stop playing in New Zealand.
"With a player of Zac's class, an All Black, those players are not
generally that available, so the interest in Zac from overseas is
probably greater than it's ever been. He's got his best rugby ahead of
him. He's only 23, he's still earning his craft at the top level. Look
at DC (Dan Carter) and Richie (McCaw) and those guys, they've played
their best rugby when they've been at the top level for 10 years."
- APNZ
By KURT BAYER 7:31 PM Friday Jan 25, 2013
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
No news could be good news for embattled footballer Zac Guildford,
according to a close friend and housemate.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has yet to meet Guildford to discuss
allegations he assaulted a partygoer at a private address in
Christchurch after a drinking and gambling session a fortnight ago.
Stu Bailey, who took Guildford into his home after he ran naked and
bleeding into a Rarotongan bar in November 2011 before assaulting two
patrons, said the 23-year-old's supporters were surprised but pleased
the meeting had yet to occur.
"Everybody is more on the level now, which is a good thing. You're
best not to deal with things at the height of emotion," Mr Bailey
said. "I spoke to Zac this morning and he's good. He's got good
support around him, and that is important. There's still a process to
go through with Zac, with the drinking and what have you, and he's
aware of that."
Mr Bailey said the ten-cap All Black, who stood down from the
Crusaders voluntarily after the latest allegations emerged last
Sunday, had apologised to his alleged victim.
The victim did not want to press charges, and police were not called.
Mr Bailey has contacted the alleged victim's father on Guildford's
behalf and claims things have been patched up.
"We've had a good, open conversation and been able to sort out any
differences, if there were any," he said.
" He's happy with how we stand now. He said he's always been a fan of
Zac's as a footballer and how he plays the game. He's obviously sad
that this has occurred as well. We all are, no more than Zac, who's
now got to show everybody that he's prepared to change his ways."
A source close to Guildford said he had been drinking at a property
for "a couple of hours" before he left to go on a gambling and alcohol
"binge" on January 12.
When he returned to the house and the alleged assault occurred, he had
been "completely out of control", the un-named source said.
Guildford owned up to the incident to Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder
two days later.
Mr Bailey, 43, said Guildford was unsure when the NZRU meeting to
discuss his lucrative contract would take place.
But he knew a few overseas clubs were interested in the winger should
he stop playing in New Zealand.
"With a player of Zac's class, an All Black, those players are not
generally that available, so the interest in Zac from overseas is
probably greater than it's ever been. He's got his best rugby ahead of
him. He's only 23, he's still earning his craft at the top level. Look
at DC (Dan Carter) and Richie (McCaw) and those guys, they've played
their best rugby when they've been at the top level for 10 years."
- APNZ
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