No World Cup For Hayman
Carl Hayman in action in the Guinness Premiership for Newcastle Falcons
Carl Hayman is ineligible for selection into next year’s All Black RWC team.
Standing 1.93m tall and weighing 120kg, with enough brute strength to box squat 250kg, makes Hayman a formidable opponent on the rugby pitch, and especially in the scrum.
But when Hayman signed a multimillion-dollar deal with French club Toulon, it effectively nullified all chances of him representing New Zealand. The NZRU have taken a firm stance on their policy that excludes overseas-based players from playing for the All Blacks. The same policy also excludes Greg Somerville – who recently signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels – from playing for the Kiwis.
Bad news for them, good news for the Springboks.
Widely regarded as the best tighthead prop in world rugby, Hayman would have been an invaluable asset to the All Blacks set-piece, but when the tighthead turned down an offer from NZRU in favour of the more lucrative Toulon deal, it further steeled their hard-nose stance. This, despite Hayman expressing his desire to still play for his country in the World Cup, and Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal stating he wouldn’t stand between his new signing and a spot in the tournament.
Many in New Zealand rugby are of the opinion that Hayman’s undeniable talent could be crucial to the host nation winning its first RWC title since the 1987 inaugural event. But according to NZRU chief executive Steve Tew, it’s out of the question.
“No, we think there’s just too much at stake to open the door for players to be in Europe,” said Tew. “I can’t prove it, and no one knows for sure. It’s a judgment call,” he went on to say. “But there’s so much of a risk we are firm if you want to wear the All Black jersey, you play in New Zealand.”
All Black fly-half Dan Carter has openly backed the tough stance taken by the NZRU. Carter and seasoned teammate Richie McCaw are known to have declined lucrative offers from overseas clubs, in order to remain eligible for their country.
“If they did bend the rules then I’m sure there would be a few more people wanting to go overseas and make the most of that opportunity, as well as the money you can generate over there while still being able to play for the All Blacks,” said Carter.
But he didn’t deny Hayman’s talent. “It is disappointing Carl isn’t coming back. He’s a class player and he’s shown that over many years.”
“But I think we’ve got a lot of young talent coming through. In Christchurch we’ve got the Franks brothers and Wyatt Crocket, who are fantastic footballers and they’ve shown that at test level. I’m sure they can continue to rise from where they are.”
Tube Test – A Car Accident
The tackle is one of the most beautiful things in the world of sport. We’re not talking about late charges, high tackles or players not using their arms. We’re talking well-timed, full-speed, high impact hits.
What we have here is the classic combination of a hospital pass and murderous hit. Brian Lima (who almost decapitated Joost van der Westhuizen at the ‘95 World Cup) gets stuck into Derick Hougaard at the 2003 RWC. It’s a killer and it takes the Bok flyhalf quite some time to get up.
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