255 replies to this topic

[booboo]

http://www.stuff.co....hrough-NZRU-net

Quote

Hayman may slip through NZRU net
By DAVID LONG - Sunday News


The All Blacks' hopes of winning next year's World Cup could be dealt a blow with reports Carl Hayman won't return to New Zealand but will sign to play for Toulon in France instead.

With most recent publicity around Toulon centering on whether club boss Mourad Boudjellal will convince Sonny Bill Williams to abandon his immediate All Blacks aspirations, the French club could be about to deliver New Zealand rugby a far more substantial setback.

Hayman had been expected to have to make a decision between staying in England with current club Newcastle once his contract expires or come home and join up with Taranaki and the Hurricanes and be eligible, once again, for the All Blacks.

But it appears Boudjellal's bulging wallet has thrown a spanner in the works and the man regarded as the world's best tighthead prop could be spending his time in southern France while the All Blacks are attempting to win their first World Cup for 24 years.

Speculation has grown in France throughout last week, from cryptic rumours that "a star player with three As in his name could be going to Toulon", to the stage where the prestigious national sports newspaper L'Equipe and Le 10 Sport website both reported yesterday that Hayman was close to signing for Toulon.

Hayman has refused to comment about his plans, other than to say he'll be making an announcement soon.

But while the French are talking up the prospects of Hayman going to Toulon, the NZRU yesterday told Sunday News that negotiations with the 30-year-old are still alive.

To help lure Hayman to New Zealand, the Taranaki Rugby Union have indicated they'll assist him in getting a farm inside the region as the 45-test All Black has said he wants to get into farming once his playing days are over.

Meanwhile, reports that Tana Umaga has signed for Counties Manukau as a player assistant coach for the next two years are premature but the deal is close to being completed.

Counties are also looking at strengthening their forward pack for this season.

"Counties Manukau need to ensure we get good quality ball out to the backs and our focus is on our tight five," Counties CEO Phil McConnell told Sunday News.

The province is working through a list of potential players coming off contract who would bring Super 14 or international experience to the union.

They could include former Blues prop Saimone Taumoepeau and ex-Chiefs lock Sean Hohneck. Greg Somerville is also another possibility.

Sunday News understands Somerville or his representatives have been talking to Counties, Super 15 franchise the Melbourne Rebels, the NZRU and Canterbury.

The 32-year-old Somerville has been the standout player for Gloucester this season but is looking to head back down under as his family have struggled to settle in England.

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[booboo]

Quote

a star player with three As in his name could be going to Toulon", a star player with three As in his name could be going to Toulon",

Aaron Mauger ??

Edited by booboo, 16 March 2010 - 08:56 AM.

[Scorz]

I wonder if Hayman's actually been asked if he wants to play for the AB's again and if so what his answer was? The whole saga is getting a bit pathetic imho.

[Kirwan]

Scorz said:

I wonder if Hayman's actually been asked if he wants to play for the AB's again and if so what his answer was? The whole saga is getting a bit pathetic imho.

It's largely a press invention. We know that the AB coaches have been in contact, and that's all important. As long as they know what he's doing then it doesn't matter what all the speculation is.

[Scorz]

Kirwan said:

It's largely a press invention. We know that the AB coaches have been in contact, and that's all important. As long as they know what he's doing then it doesn't matter what all the speculation is.

True enough. Is anyone else a bit more confident after seeing Owen Franks and even Tialata start to step up?

[Kirwan]

Scorz said:

True enough. Is anyone else a bit more confident after seeing Owen Franks and even Tialata start to step up?

Don't forget Afoa, he's been in great form and even covering both sides of the scrum. If we can keep Tialatta and Afoa fit we'll have good cover for tighthead.

[mimic]

i'd rather have a fit mccaw and carter.. (and a fit centre playing centre)

[booboo]

Quote

(and a fit centre playing centre)

Surely Corey Jane looks like an excellent option at 13 ...

[red terror]

Much as I would love to see Carl Hayman back in black, and much as I know he'd be an awesome asset to the ABs and RWC cause, if his head & heart are not commited, or if he's dithering and only coming back out of some sort of pressure and national obligation, then I'd rather not see him return. I don't begrudge him if his priority is his bank account, but for me (selfishly) the only priority I want to see from kiwi rugby players the next year is their rising to the challenge of winning the greatest prize in the game, which is more than mere dollars, it's an opportunity for greatness and immortality. Professional contracts will always be available, but how often does a rugby player get a realistic opportunity to win a World Cup played on home soil?

[BartMan]

I'm with you red terrot. I'm over it, if he comes back, cool, if he doesn't, coo. It's not as if he's Dan fucking Carter after all. Hayman comes back, our RWC chances improve by 1%, maybe, fucked if I know. But the difference between hayman and the next best is a lot closer than Dan and the next best!!

[El Toro supremo]

red terror said:

Much as I would love to see Carl Hayman back in black, and much as I know he'd be an awesome asset to the ABs and RWC cause, if his head & heart are not commited, or if he's dithering and only coming back out of some sort of pressure and national obligation, then I'd rather not see him return. I don't begrudge him if his priority is his bank account, but for me (selfishly) the only priority I want to see from kiwi rugby players the next year is their rising to the challenge of winning the greatest prize in the game, which is more than mere dollars, it's an opportunity for greatness and immortality. Professional contracts will always be available, but how often does a rugby player get a realistic opportunity to win a World Cup played on home soil?

Well said RT - I completely agree with you. You need full commitment for a cause like that and Hayman without his heart in the right place will detract from that cause.

[Duluth]

The other thing to remember is he took almost a whole season to adjust to the GP and wasn't actually playing that well initially. If he does come back, I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a long time adjust back

There's way too much talk in the media that he'll just slot seamlessly back in

[taniwharugby]

yep, there is no garantees he'd be as dominant, the International game that he has been away from for >2 years has changed (for better or worse)

[Red Beard]

red terror said:

Much as I would love to see Carl Hayman back in black, and much as I know he'd be an awesome asset to the ABs and RWC cause, if his head & heart are not commited, or if he's dithering and only coming back out of some sort of pressure and national obligation, then I'd rather not see him return. I don't begrudge him if his priority is his bank account, but for me (selfishly) the only priority I want to see from kiwi rugby players the next year is their rising to the challenge of winning the greatest prize in the game, which is more than mere dollars, it's an opportunity for greatness and immortality. Professional contracts will always be available, but how often does a rugby player get a realistic opportunity to win a World Cup played on home soil?

Who said he is dithering?, It seems like he is doing the right thing by knuckling down and concentrating on finishing the season with Newcastle before he announces his decision. The media are making all the noise about possible moves, Hayman has kept pretty quiet which is what you would expect from a real professional.

[Red Beard]

BartMan said:

I'm with you red terrot. I'm over it, if he comes back, cool, if he doesn't, coo. It's not as if he's Dan fucking Carter after all. Hayman comes back, our RWC chances improve by 1%, maybe, fucked if I know. But the difference between hayman and the next best is a lot closer than Dan and the next best!!

Really Bart as little as 1%? You surprised me there! I know if I had the choice who I would rather have in the 3 jersey at the next RWC and it wouldnt be a chap covered in bling with feet wrapped up like a racehorse.

[kiwiinmelb]

Yeah , before we shoot him down , Carl has never been one to say much,

Lets wait untill he talks .

[da_grubster]

Red Beard said:

Who said he is dithering?, It seems like he is doing the right thing by knuckling down and concentrating on finishing the season with Newcastle before he announces his decision. The media are making all the noise about possible moves, Hayman has kept pretty quiet which is what you would expect from a real professional.

Dunno RB, he has a contract on the table for a while by all accounts. This smells a little different.

If he wanted to come back to win the world cup for his country in his homeland then no one would begrudge him that and that would be the end of it. Now it seems he is courting more offers...

After all, wasn't he one of the first to announce he was off to Newcastle in 2007 before the world cup? Not exactly keeping your head down until the world cup was over and then letting people know your plans is it?

Doubt we will see him in the world cup next year now.

[BartMan]

Quote

Really Bart as little as 1%? You surprised me there! I know if I had the choice who I would rather have in the 3 jersey at the next RWC and it wouldnt be a chap covered in bling with feet wrapped up like a racehorse.

Me too RB - would rather Hayman, but him being there or not is not going to be the winning and losing of a RWC. NO TH for any nation has that much influence!! he is no DC!

[booboo]

Quote

a star player with three As in his name could be going to Toulon", a star player with three As in his name could be going to Toulon",

Aaron Mauger ??

[moreidlespeculation]Habana?[/moreidlespeculation]

[FredDagg1979]

Red Beard said:

Who said he is dithering?, It seems like he is doing the right thing by knuckling down and concentrating on finishing the season with Newcastle before he announces his decision. The media are making all the noise about possible moves, Hayman has kept pretty quiet which is what you would expect from a real professional.

Precisely. All he has really said on the issue is that he is considering his options after his contract expires.

The media can speculate all they like. Until I see or hear a quote from Hayman on the subject, i'll be taking stuff all notice of stories like this. He'll either return or he won't. From our POV, we can't be heavily reliant on any individual.

[JP]

According to radiosprt he's taken the $$ and stayed over there, after all why have one million dollars when you could have ONE HUNDRED BILLION MILLION DOLLARS!!! That beard takes a lot of maintainance you know...

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Money means more to him than quality of rugby and rugby success. Fair enough.

[BartMan]

every man has his price. easier too, playing for one team, as opposed to a few games for a province, a season of Super rugby, and then the All Blacks. Less stress. IT is a sound business move.

[Scorz]

Nothing's official, I know the old smoke/fire saying but hey, until it's official...

[bullet]

I'm tired of hearing about Hayman too. He should have fronted up earlier and told people what his plans were. And if he isn't sure of his plans he should've hardened up and made a call and and stuck to it!

[da_grubster]

BartMan said:

every man has his price. easier too, playing for one team, as opposed to a few games for a province, a season of Super rugby, and then the All Blacks. Less stress. IT is a sound business move.

Sounds extremely ardous BART. must be very confusing playing nearly 30 games a year for up to 3 different teams. If he stays up there he must be going to Toulon, due to the strength of the euro. The pound has weakened considerably since he has moved and the UK are introducing a 50% tax shortly.

If he hasn't got excited about trying to win the world cup in NZ for the AB's then thank god he wont be coming home to go through the motions. Not the attitude required to be a world cup winner.

[FredDagg1979]

Baron Silas Greenback said:

Money means more to him than quality of rugby and rugby success. Fair enough.

Who says?

Hayman has said stuff all on the whole subject and he has said nothing even remotely like what you've stated as being his priorities.

[BartMan]

that would have to be one bastard thing in NZ - the three teams a season thing, as opposed to one team, and then internationals. Might not seem like much, but it would be I am sure.

Fred, preface EVERYTHING you read on the fern , unless they are quoting someone saying something with "in my opinion", and it will save Baron co ing back and saying, "in my opinion"...!!

In fact, if everyone did that, we'd only have half the posts here on the forum!

[Red Beard]

BartMan said:

that would have to be one bastard thing in NZ - the three teams a season thing, as opposed to one team, and then internationals. Might not seem like much, but it would be I am sure.

Fred, preface EVERYTHING you read on the fern , unless they are quoting someone saying something with "in my opinion", and it will save Baron co ing back and saying, "in my opinion"...!!

In fact, if everyone did that, we'd only have half the posts here on the forum!

Ultimately thats what has to happen though and it is now with the first choicers (the Woodcocks, Carters etc). NPC will only be used for players to have one or two blowouts before the EOYT. Then ABs will only have their S14 franchise and international duty then to worry about. But three teams in a season is one two many.

I would be surprised if Hayman doesnt come back, havent anything concrete about Toulon just media spec. But an offer like this was always on the cards. And the longer you are away from the NZ rugby scene, the more tempting I bet it is to cash in on one more big paypacket to round out your career.

[FredDagg1979]

Red Beard said:

Ultimately thats what has to happen though and it is now with the first choicers (the Woodcocks, Carters etc). NPC will only be used for players to have one or two blowouts before the EOYT. Then ABs will only have their S14 franchise and international duty then to worry about. But three teams in a season is one two many.

I would be surprised if Hayman doesnt come back, havent anything concrete about Toulon just media spec. But an offer like this was always on the cards. And the longer you are away from the NZ rugby scene, the more tempting I bet it is to cash in on one more big paypacket to round out your career.

To paraphrase Steven Gerrard "I could have gone to other clubs and earnt a lot more money and won trophies in their competitions but when I come back home no one is going to give a shit."

The point being that Hayman could trawl around club rugby in Europe for the rest of his playing days and earn a lump of money, or he could try to again be part of one of the most special teams in all of sport and possibly be a legend feted for the rest of his life.

Edited by FredDagg1979, 17 March 2010 - 02:28 PM.