Dad motivates Guildford in classy debut

By MARC HINTON in Cardiff - Stuff.co.nz

Last updated 12:55 08/11/2009

Video: All Blacks beat Wales

LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media

CLASSY DEBUT: All Black wing Zac Guildford conceded that dad Rob was never far from his thoughts as he completed a day when he said his boyhood "dream came true".

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It was the best of times, and in some ways the worst of times, for All Black debutant Zac Guildford as he launched his test rugby career in fitting fashion.

On what should have been - and in many ways was - the happiest night of his life, Guildford admitted that the presence of his father, who died while watching his son win the world under-20 championship in Tokyo in June, was never far from his mind.

The 20-year-old Hawke's Bay flyer, who was praised to the hilt by Graham Henry for a strong all-round performance, had a tear in his eye as he reflected on a special night at one of the world's great rugby stadiums as the All Blacks hung on for a 19-12 victory.

He handled the occasion splendidly, surviving a searching high-ball examination from the Welsh, making the most of his limited opportunities to show his pace and eye for the gap and making arguably the biggest defensive play of the night when he raced back to defuse a sweeping 60m run by lock Alun-Wyn Jones off an intercept.

Guildford conceded that dad Rob was never far from his thoughts as he completed a day when he said his boyhood "dream came true".

"I did actually think about Dad. In the changing-room as I was putting on my jersey and during the national anthem," said the young man showing impressive fortitude given the circumstances. "I think of him all the time and it just adds to the motivation. That's why I'm out here playing rugby really."

Guildford loved the occasion, which had the full house of nearly 75,000 in full voice.

"It was as intense as I thought it would be and more," he said... "The Welsh played with a great spirit and I was just feeding off the crowd and the boys out there."

The All Blacks rookie described the atmosphere as "awesome" and said he tried to feed off it.

"I'm keen as now and I want to play as much as I can. I enjoyed the footy out there even though it's a huge step up."

The youngster's day varied as he mixed excitement and nerves ahead of the always daunting prospect of your first test.

He said he spent most of the morning in a state of anxiety, and then found that morphing into excitement in the afternoon as the kickoff loomed closer.

"I had a sleep about half past one to about three. I was pretty relaxed and was more excited than nervous actually," he said.

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He was also happy enough that he had to put in a bit of defence before his first chance to run with ball in hand rolled around. "It was actually a nice way to come into the game," he said. "I managed to make a few tackles and then get my hands on the ball. I was pretty confident out there."

The Welsh tested him too, sending an array of bombs his way, most of which he defused with a minimum of fuss.

"That's one part of the game I've tried to grow in the last six moths or so. That's a big part of the game. The Springboks use it and they use it a hell of a lot in the UK. I was happy how the high-ball stuff went."

And in terms of his debut defining moment late in the piece when he raced in on the angle to deny Jones, and the Welsh, his moment of glory?

"This was my first test. I saw him get the intercept and I thought 'I'm not going to go down in my first test', so he was never going to get away from me. It might have been a different story if it had been Shane Williams.

"I had a fair bit of ground to make up. I was just chasing him, thought I'd have to make the tackle, and then he looked to pass so I batted the ball down."