Rugby: Hayman unlikely to return to Otago

Carl Hayman looks to be headed back to New Zealand, but it appears doubtful he will land back in southern climes.

Hayman is nearing the end of a three year deal at Newcastle in England and the New Zealand Rugby Union said last month it had initiated talks to get the big prop back to New Zealand in time for next year's World Cup.

Hayman played all his senior rugby for Otago but reports at the weekend indicated he may be headed for Taranaki, the province where he was born and received his early education.

Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said the deal was being driven by the New Zealand Rugby Union, rather than provincial unions or Super 14 franchises.

The Hurricanes were said to be involved in a deal which would use third-party funding to help get Hayman back, but Reid said Otago and the Highlanders had not gone down that road yet.

He had not been in touch with Hayman's agent but added that with franchise contracting coming into play next year, signing players was going to change.

If Hayman was coming back to play for the All Blacks, there was little point in signing him to play for Otago, as he would play few games for the province.

The Highlanders could look at signing him but nothing had been put on the table.

With the Otago union posting a loss of more than $750,000 for the past financial year, it is hard to see the union, or indeed the Highlanders, having the clout to get Hayman back.

Hayman (30) is seen as a key by the All Blacks selectors, and no obvious replacement for the All Blacks has come forward since he left after the World Cup in 2007.

He played 68 games for Otago, 81 games for the Highlanders and 45 tests for the All Blacks.