Super title on Guildford's Xmas wishlist

All Zac Guildford wants for Christmas is the 2013 Investec Super Rugby title gift-wrapped and delivered to the Crusaders franchise.

After two years with the Hurricanes and the last three with the Crusaders, Guildford has gone close to Super Rugby success but no cigar.

In those five years his team has made four semi-finals and one final.

'That's becoming a bit frustrating,' Guildford admitted on Friday where he and the first Crusaders intake had assembled at Sumner Beach for another vigorous training in searing heat.

'But I think we've got the goods to do it next year. First we have to go through the whole process and that starts with the pre-season preparation and then getting off to a good start in the competition.

'The first week [training] has been pretty tough but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the long run.

I haven't done a pre-season for awhile as I've been away with the ABs [All Blacks] so it's good to be back doing the hard yards and I'll be much fitter for the start.'

Guildford's ITM Cup campaign with Hawkes Bay was hampered by hamstring injuries, but he is confident they are problems of the past.

"I've already racked a few Ks [kilometres] under the belt – the legs have done a lot of running and the hamstrings have been fine."

The fleet-footed wing is looking forward to working with newly appointed backs coaches Aaron Mauger and Tabai Matson now that Daryl Gibson has been recruited by the Waratahs and he was impressed with the innovations the pair brought to Canterbury's record fifth ITM Cup success.

'It's a new challenge for them and I think some fresh faces will get the enthusiasm up amongst the group.

"Myself and Izzy [fullback Israel Dagg] probably didn't play to our full potential at times during the last Super 15 and the challenge for us is to get the back three running and being dangerous as we were the year before.'

Guildford, who has scored 19 tries in 46 Crusaders appearances, said the team needed to play exciting rugby and be more consistent.

"Two of our best games last season, against the Blues and the Highlanders, showed what potential we do have.

"The challenge for us is to play like that every week. Teams who are predictable and who play pretty much one-dimensional rugby are getting picked off."

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