Legendary All Black Comes Out Of Retirement
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God help the poor front-row that comes up against him.
Former All Blacks and Toulon prop Carl Hayman is set to come out of retirement. Regarded as one of one of the most devastating scrummagers in world rugby in his prime, is set to lace up his boots once again for the second team of an amateur French fifth division club.
Hayman moved to France in 2010 to play for Toulon, retiring in 2015 at the age of 35, having won three European Cups and one French league title.
The 45-times capped All Black is now forwards coach with Top 14 club Pau, and has been persuaded to turn out for nearby club Bizanos, who ply their trade in Federale 3. The 37-year-old prop was taken along to training by Pau’s Irish video analyst Paddy Sullivan, who plays centre for Bizanos.
“The players couldn’t get over it when they saw who was arriving. No one knew he was coming. It was an incredible moment,” said Bizanos coach Michel Verge.
Verge confirmed that Hayman will now register as a player with Bizanos, but more to play with the second team.
“He warned us that his commitments to Pau will limit his availability,” he said.
“We know he won’t be a full-time player, but for the club it’s great.”
