Winger Zac Guildford’s elevation to the All Blacks squad for their end-of-season northern hemisphere tour was tinged with some sadness yesterday — his father Robert was not around to see it.
The 20-year-old’s father died in June watching the International Rugby Board’s world under-20 final in Tokyo when Guildford scored two tries for New Zealand in their 44-28 victory over England.
“He will be over the moon,” Guildford told Television New Zealand after he was named in Graham Henry’s side as one of four new caps in the 33-man squad. “It was his dream for me to make the All Blacks because he didn’t do it himself, so I think he will be really proud.”
Guildford, who is the top try scorer in this year’s national provincial competition for his team Hawke’s Bay, had said earlier his father’s death had refocused his efforts on the rugby field.
“He has used that sad situation to motivate himself and to make his father proud of him. That’s very emotional,” Henry told TVNZ. “I even feel emotional talking about it.”
Guildford’s selection for the tour had been expected because of his great form with Hawke’s Bay.
Henry said Guildford’s skills suited the international game, where teams were kicking deep for territory and forcing the opposition to respond or run the ball back.
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