All Black hopeful Hayman to retire after Top14

Former All Black prop Carl Hayman has revealed that he will retire from playing rugby at the end of the current Top 14 season with Toulon.

Whilst Hayman plans to retire at the end of the season in June he says he is still hopeful of an unlikely callup for New Zealand’s World Cup squad.

The 35-year-old tight-head has been in France since 2010 and has played an integral part in Toulon’s cash-fuelled drive to the forefront of European rugby.

But he has been sidelined by a succession of injuries of late, especially to his back and believes that the time is ripe 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