Image via WikipediaRugby: Former All Black Hayman will stay in Europe and play in France.
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Carl Hayman wants to be a dairy farmer, family man but obviously not an All Black.
However, he could not find a way to blend all three parts of the puzzle and, after months of agonising, the tighthead prop has accepted a lucrative contract in France to achieve his strongest goals.
Hayman signed what is believed to be a multimillion-dollar deal with the Toulon club at the weekend.
"Toulon is very excited about securing Carl's signature but we would also be happy to release Carl to play international rugby for New Zealand if they were to pick him," club owner Mourad Boudjellal said.
"I would be most surprised if he wasn't selected for the World Cup as he is the best tighthead prop in the game."
That offer will test the New Zealand Rugby Union's resolve and edict that anyone selected for the All Blacks has to be playing in New Zealand competitions.
For months, Hayman fretted about his decision.
"In fact, I think it has been in the back of my mind all the time I have been here at Newcastle," he told the Herald yesterday.
It came down to a choice between pragmatism against emotion. The 1000th All Black wanted to tackle the challenge of another World Cup campaign.
"After that tournament it was time to move on," he said.
"But it was not as clear this time. There were a lot of variables, what-ifs and trying to look into the crystal ball.
"I could see the positives and negatives on both sides. In the end, it came down to a financial and lifestyle move."
Hayman wants to own a dairy farm in Taranaki, he wants to settle and raise a family in his home province once his playing days are done. He had more chance of achieving those goals if he signed on for Toulon.
The NZRU made a generous late pitch to change his mind but there were some matters that needed more work and time.
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