Toulon and New Zealand great Carl Hayman to retire at the end of the season
Tuesday 6 January 2015 14:01, UK
Toulon prop Carl Hayman will retire at the end of the season – but he is hoping his swansong will be the World Cup.
Hayman, regarded by many as the finest tighthead prop in the world, played 45 times for New Zealand but the last of his caps was back in 2007.
That year he moved to Newcastle Falcons, which ended his chances of playing in the 2011 World Cup.
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The 35-year-old subsequently moved on to Toulon and played an integral part in their rise to the top of European rugby.
Injuries have however taken their toll in recent years, and he says it is time to call it a day.
"I have enjoyed an exceptional career but I do not want to play on for a year too long," he said.
"There is life after rugby and I want to be able to continue playing with my kids in the garden. I do not want to be consigned to an armchair and unable to do anything.
"This season I have often played with a sore back and it is hard to imagine playing on for another 10 months."
But he says he has not yet given up on being given a shock call-up for the All Blacks squad for this year's World Cup in England, adding that "talks are underway."
