England Premiership
Hayman set to return home early?
Scrum.com
December 9, 2008
Carl Hayman of Newcastle Falcons in action during the European Challenge Cup rugby match between Newcastle Falcons and Cetransa El Salvador at Kingston Park on October 11, 2008 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.
Hayman in action for the Falcons during the European Challenge Cup game with Cetransa El Salvador earlier this season © Getty Images
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Newcastle's All Black prop Carl Hayman could return to New Zealand a year ahead of schedule, according to Hurricanes chief executive Greg Peters.

Hayman, widely regarded as the world's best tighthead, is said to be unsettled at the Falcons and is considering signing terms with Taranaki and the New Zealand Rugby Union. The 29-year-old, who won 46 caps before agreeing a lucrative contract with Newcastle thought to be worth £330,000 a season, could be playing in next year's national championship.

He would then represent the Hurricanes in the 2010 Super 14 and could figure in an All Blacks tour as early as next autumn. "He is a world-class player, so we are definitely interested in him if he is keen on coming back to New Zealand," Peters told the New Zealand Herald. "We have had very initial talks with his agent and we understand from other sources that he is keen to come back.

"Obviously he has strong links with Taranaki and from the Hurricanes' perspective we'd be quite happy to facilitate that if that's how it works out. It would obviously require a New Zealand Rugby Union contract to make the whole thing work.

"But we imagine the NZRU would be fairly interested in attracting a player of his calibre back to New Zealand."

Taranaki Rugby Union chief executive Mark Robinson said Hayman's family connection could make the province attractive to him but would not say if he had spoken to the prop.

Otago Rugby Union chief executive Richard Reid told The Otago Daily Times he met Hayman in June and had stayed in email contact since. Reid doubted the 29-year-old was interested in playing for Taranaki.

"I don't think it is accurate," Reid said. "Carl may be interested in returning to New Zealand but I think it is drawing a long bow to say that he would settle in New Plymouth."

Reid believed Hayman would see out his Newcastle duties, which end in mid-2010.

Newcastle are perched second from bottom in the Premiership with Hayman missing the past five matches because of a knee injury.

Hayman has missed the last five Newcastle games with a knee injury and in that time the club have slipped to second-last in the English premiership, locked in a relegation duel with last-placed Bristol.

If Newcastle drop to the second division, Hayman may have an exit clause in his contract. He should be fit to play before Christmas to add to his 27 games for the club before returning to New Zealand next month to get married.

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