New Zealand Rugby
NZRU dismiss Hayman reports
ESPNscrum Staff
January 26, 2011
Toulon prop Carl Hayman, London Irish v Toulon, Heineken Cup, Madejski Stadium, Reading, England, December 12, 2010
Carl Hayman will not be returning to New Zealand © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Carl Hayman
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup
Teams: New Zealand | Toulon

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief Steve Tew has dismissed reports that they are in talks secure the services of Toulon prop Carl Hayman on a short-term deal for the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup bid.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal confirmed that the club would not stand in the 31-year-old's way should the NZRU alter selection criteria to make the tight-head eligible but Tew has ruled out any such move.

As it stands, players not contracted to play their rugby in New Zealand are off the radar of the national selectors. Hayman played the last of his 45 Tests in the All Blacks' quarter-final loss to France at the 2007 World Cup and has since been replaced in the No.3 jersey by youngster Owen Franks.

The decision to turn down a return to New Zealand in 2010 - when he inked his lucrative deal with Toulon - effectively spelled the end of his All Black career but Tew has added another nail to the coffin.

"We are not in discussions with Carl, or the French club, about him being back here for Rugby World Cup," he told NZPA.

"Carl's been a topic of conversation in our place for several years. We tried incredibly hard to try and bring Carl back to New Zealand so that he would be released to play for the All Blacks again, but we failed to do that. He chose Toulon and that is what he has decided to do."

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