...........Witnesses say Guildford barged into Trader Jacks in the capital, Avarua, without clothes, saturated and bleeding heavily. He punched several patrons, before climbing on to a stage to apologise then running off with five women who were waiting for him outside.

Guildford has had well-documented problems with alcohol. He fronted a press conference during the Rugby World Cup with All Blacks team management to admit he was struggling with heavy drinking. It followed a late-night incident after the team's Tri-Nations loss to Australia in Brisbane in August.

Blackadder said he did not know what conditions the All Blacks imposed on Guildford after the Brisbane incident but "whatever was put in place didn't work".

A source involved with the Hurricanes during Guildford's time at the franchise in 2008 and 2009 said the player had addictive and compulsive tendencies, including alcohol and gambling problems, and had received considerable off-field help from team management.

Employment law expert Susan Hornsby-Geluk said the latest incident was "definitely" a sackable offence. Guildford's profile as an All Black meant the image and reputation of the World Cup-winning team could be damaged.

But whether the New Zealand Rugby Union would fire him or take lesser action – such as suspension – would depend on the level of public outrage and media interest.

Shamed England rugby captain Mike Tindall has just been axed for lying about his infamous off-field antics during the World Cup, and has been fined £25,000 ($37,500).

NZRU general manager Neil Sorensen said the important thing was to "help the guy" if he was in trouble.

"But we've got to establish the facts and it sounds like he got up to something. We are not denying that."

Mr Sorenson said Guildford had been called to account over his drinking three times in the past 18 months. "He lost his dad a couple of years ago. He's also had some alcohol-related issues in the past. He's a good young man."

Blackadder said All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka was in Rarotonga to support Guildford and determine the next steps in his recovery process. The incident was not expected to affect his role with the Crusaders.

"One thing that I do think he needs is to have rugby back in his life. He needs support of all his family and his friends, and he needs to be in a good supportive environment.

"There's no point in taking him through the judiciary process right here and now when he needs more than that ... this is more of an issue than a one-night drinking binge."

Guildford's actions had "disgusted" locals on the Pacific island, Cook Islands News editor John Woods said. "He should get off his high horse and get around the island and apologise to people."..............