All Blacks: NZRU dismisses Hayman return report

Carl Hayman. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Rugby Union has dismissed a British media report suggesting that former All Black prop Carl Hayman could take up a three-month contract to play in this year's Rugby World Cup.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew laughed off the report describing it as "fanciful".

All Blacks: Hayman in 'secret' World Cup discussions

The report claimed the NZRU had been in secret discussions with Hayman's French club, Toulon, over the possibility of a short-term return to New Zealand to allow the 46-test prop to resurrect his All Black career at the Rugby World Cup.

Such a move would have ended the NZRU's policy that only players playing in New Zealand are eligible for All Blacks selection.

Tew told Radio Sport that there was nothing to the report.

"We are not in discussions with Carl, or the French club, about him being back here for Rugby World Cup," he said.

Tew said the NZRU had been in discussions in the past with Hayman, but he had opted to remain in France.

"Carl's been a topic of conversation in our place for several years. We tried incredibly hard to try and bring Carl back to New Zealand so that he would be released to play for the All Blacks again, but we failed to do that. He chose Toulon and that is what he has decided to do," he said.

Tew said there was no plan to change the NZRU policy about not picking players playing overseas.

- NZPA