Zac Guildford flies into record books

RWC record tries in a match

Marc Ellis (NZ), 6, v Japan, 1995.

Chris Latham (Australia), 5, v Namibia, 2003.

Josh Lewsey (England), 5, v Uruguay, 2003.

Zac Guildford (NZ), 4, v Canada, 2011.

Zac Guildford's grandfather Frank Burt of Featherston chops firewood to fund his trips around the country to watch his 22 grandchildren play sport.

"I think I better chop some more ... Zac is going to get another game or two before this World Cup is over," Mr Burt said after watching the Hawke's Bay Magpies star score four tries in the All Blacks' 79-15 demolition job on Canada in Wellington yesterday.

"I've only watched Zac once before play for the All Blacks live and that was here in Wellington, too. He scored two tries on that occasion ... I don't know if I'm the lucky omen or if it's the Cake Tin but he was outstanding today."

Mr Burt, his wife June and Zac's mother Deb later joined the All Black winger at the post-match dinner at a Wellington hotel. "Zac was the All Blacks' No1 player today and I'm the proudest man in the world," Mr Burt said.

It was Guildford's first Cup appearance and followed last month's heavily publicised apology for breaches of the All Blacks alcohol policy.

"It can't get much bigger than this ... watching his first World Cup try and then another three more," Zac's mother said. "Everyone thought Canada was going to be tough. There was such a fantastic atmosphere at the game."

Guildford said he was "just happy to be on the field . ..I've learnt a lot out of the last month ... I don't think I had a point to prove, I just had to get back to playing my natural game."

Meanwhile, Mr Burt was looking forward to watching grandson Levi Guildford play for NZ Secondary Schools against their Australia counterparts this weekend.