Carl Hayman chooses Toulon over the All Blacks

I have come out of the doom and gloom to write about Carl Hayman’s choice to play in Toulon next year, rather than represent the All Blacks in the next world cup.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Hayman, particularly as we’ve had to endure Neemia Tialata’s ineffectiveness for the last three years.

But now he’s not coming home. Whether it is a big loss or not for New Zealand rugby (and a year ago I would have said ‘yes’, but since then I’ve seen Luke McAlister arrive back from the Northern Hemisphere a diminished player) is by the by.

The wider issue being discussed is whether New Zealand players should be allowed to play for a Northern hemisphere club and the All Black test team in the same season.

My answer is no.

For a start – a wealthy northern hemisphere club would not be prepared to release their players for training or tests to New Zealand (gawd, English clubs don’t do it for their own English team members so I very much doubt they would ever do it for a New Zealander).

Secondly, the New Zealand public would lose even more interest in the over hyped super 14 and the NZRFU would continue to lose revenue which means we would continue to lose even more stars.

Thirdly, skills levels of those stars plying their trade overseas would not be aligned with New Zealand rugby. Luke McAlister is a perfect example of this. He left as an up and coming star and has returned Joe Average. (More of the same is expected from Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger).

While I can understand Hayman’s choice to take the money, I wonder how he will feel come world cup time. If the All Blacks lose, no doubt he’ll be highly relieved. If they win, it may be another story for him altogether.

But he’s loaded now so that’s all ok because money is the answer Yeah right.

Luke McAlister returning to New Zealand

Luke McAlister has rejected lucrative offers from several wealthy French rugby clubs to come back to New Zealand. He’ll be dotting down into Auckland airport when the Northern season ends in May. It is assumed he’ll get dispensation from the NZRFU to take up All Black duties immediately in June (normally you can’t represent the All Blacks unless you’ve played the previous season in the Super 14). It’s great news for Graham Henry and his team, who have had their work cut out for them after the player drain of 2008.

With the English economy in dire straits the boot appears to have shifted dramatically to the other foot for a number of British clubs. Struggling with salaries as sponsorship deals go kaput, left right and centre, a number of English clubs have to contend with their players cutting the apron strings and seeking the more lucrative options on French shores. Here’s Wasps chairman Mark Rigby expressing his concern. I'm sorry, where did Riki Flutey come from again?