14 Nov 2011

Sport: NZRU to investigate Guilford incident in Rarotonga

7:34 am on 14 November 2011

The New Zealand Rugby Union says it is investigating a media report that the All Black Zac Guildford was drunk at a Rarotonga bar and assaulted two patrons.

Witnesses told the Cook Islands News Guildford was naked, dripping wet, with a gash above his forehead when he entered the bar, Trader Jacks.

The NZRU's general manager of professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, says they only learned of the allegations against Guildford today through the media.

The rugby union says that during the Rugby World Cup, Guildford had put himself on a alcohol ban, following several incidents during the Tri-Nations.

Neil Sorensen says Guildford has come to the attention of the Union three times over the past year because of alcohol and the latest allegations are very disappointing.

"The first thing we'll do is find out the facts and then the second thing we'll do is help the guy. If he's in trouble again our first motive really is to say, 'how can we help the guy', that's the first thing. We've got to establish the facts - it sounds like he got up to something, we're not denying that."