Former All Black Guildford quits Clermont

Former All Black and Crusaders winger Zac Guildford has quit Top14 Rugby club Clermont Auvergne and will return to New Zealand.

The twenty-two-cap All Black has played 20 times for Clermont but has decided to end his contract with Clermont early and has cited personal reasons for his departure.

Guildford held discussions with Clermont bosses and due to his personal problems he decided to give up the final year on his contract so he will return to New Zealand with his family.

“Faced with personal problems Zac could not stand the distance between the club and his relatives in New Zealand and he expressed his wish to re-join his relatives, ” said the Club on their website.

“Despite the help of the entire team and the fact that we have accompanied throughout the year, it was not enough.”

“We knew that we were taking a gamble with Zac. Sportingly, we have succeeded as he has met our expectations by playing twenty games (1445 minutes), unfortunately the weight of the remoteness and fragility were too important barriers.

Clermont coach Franck Azema said, “Throughout the season, we were at his side. The entire staff and the team supported him in his most difficult times. Unfortunately, it seems obvious that the best solution for him is to get close to his family wher he can find solace and probably get help that we can not provide. “

“The New Zealand winger has expressed his desire to return home quickly and will leave the Auvergne in the coming days.

“This is a big disappointment and we have many regrets in this situation,”

“We will keep contact with Zac and can only hope that in New Zealand he will be able to get all the stability, support and serenity necessary to help him find the right track to continue his career and life. “