Zac Guildford's contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union has been terminated.

The Crusaders and All Blacks wing, who has battled alcohol issues throughout his rugby career, is now free to join Clermont, who he signed a three-year deal with last summer.

'We're really disappointed that Zac has not be able to achieve his full potential in New Zealand,' NZRU general manager Rugby Neil Sorensen said. 'He is a good man, talented but troubled. Zac has struggled to continue to meet the commitments he made to himself to keep on top of his personal issues.  Ultimately those issues are private to Zac but all parties agree that cutting ties now is the sensible decision.

'We hope that a change of environment, culture, new mates and challenges for this next stage of his young career will be the catalyst to springboard him back into the top form we know he can achieve both on and off the field. We hope he keeps the dream to pursue the black jersey alive, and returns one day to fulfil that.'

Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty Images