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Carl Hayman - Source: Photosport -
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Former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman has opted to play his rugby
for French club Toulon, spurning New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU)
overtures ahead of next year's World Cup.
Regarded as one of the world's premier tighthead props, Hayman, 30,
had said earlier that he was torn over whether to remain with his
English club Newcastle.
He joined Newcastle after the All Blacks' failed World Cup campaign
in 2007.
The 45-Test veteran's form for Newcastle had reportedly been of a
consistently high standard, and the Taranaki Rugby Union and the
Hurricanes franchise were vocal in their desire to lure the prop
back home.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said on Monday the union
had also been keen to lure Hayman back, but he had opted instead
for a multi-million dollar two-year deal at Toulon.
Tew said the NZRU had always lived within its means, RadioSport
reported on Monday
"Player retention and getting guys back from Europe is important to
us, but not at any cost."
Hayman told the New Zealand Herald his decision had been difficult,
but his family's financial future had taken top priority despite
the NZRU's late counter-bid.
"Newcastle and now Toulon are all about setting up a sound
financial base for the future."
