Lawrence Smith/Stuff
Zac Guildford faced the media before his All Blacks debut against Wales in Cardiff in 2009, but not everyone has the tools to cope with the spotlight.
OPINION: Zac Guildford was brilliant.
When he burst onto the national scene in 2009, as a try-hungry wing in the world-beating New Zealand under-20 team that also featured Aaron Cruden, he was everything coaches want in their outside backs.
He was fast, skilful and had a great work rate. The baby-faced youngster from Hawke’s Bay could play, and he made the All Blacks in the same year. He had the sort of talent that gives you a lot of lifelines in professional rugby, a lot of second chances.