Waratahs offer contract to troubled former All Black Zac Guildford

Troubled former All Black Zac Guildford said on Wednesday the New South Wales Waratahs had offered him a contract for next season, handing yet another lifeline to the one-time bad boy of New Zealand rugby.

Still only 26, Guildford's career has been blighted by alcohol issues and he walked out of a contract with French Top 14 side Clermont in May citing "personal reasons".

Since then, the winger has been playing for his home provincial team Hawke's Bay.

Guildford said Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson had approached him about joining the Sydney-based Super Rugby side.

Guildford and Gibson, himself a former All Black, worked together when Gibson was assistant coach at the Canterbury Crusaders.

"I had a little bit of interest from New Zealand Super [Rugby] teams but I got on really well with Daryl Gibson at the Crusaders," Guildford said.

"I felt like I was appreciated and I played some of my best rugby under him. If I can get excited about playing for someone in a team that I'm excited about, that's when I play my best footy."