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All Black prop Carl Hayman rejected a counter-offer from the New Zealand Rugby Union to sponsor him on to a farm in favour of a multimillion-dollar two-year deal to play for the Newcastle club in England.
The Herald understands the NZRU explored several schemes to boost Hayman's salary package with incentives like the farm deal, but his desire for a change of scenery and friendship with former All Black prop Joe McDonnell at Newcastle swung the deal.
Hayman's move takes the tally of confirmed All Black departures to six. The question is how many more All Blacks in a group of about 20 off-contract this season will quit after the World Cup to play overseas.
Hayman, the 1000th All Black and senior All Black prop, confirmed his deal yesterday although he also offered some hope he would conclude his career in New Zealand.
His exit adds to the confirmed post-World Cup departures of Aaron Mauger, Byron Kelleher, Chris Jack, Anton Oliver and Sam Tuitupou, with a number of other All Blacks thinking of joining the exodus. Midfielder Luke McAlister, wings Rico Gear, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Cowan and prop Clarke Dermody are expected to make their decisions soon.
All Blacks - especially props, locks and wings - are being pursued vigorously by European clubs offering telephone-number deals as they look to stockpile talent while their feud with the national unions heads towards a possible breakaway series.
If that rebel circuit starts, more off-contract All Blacks like captain Richie McCaw, Doug Howlett, Ali Williams, Marty Holah and Sione Lauaki will be leaned on even harder to sign in Europe.
Hayman follows New Zealanders Pat Lam and Craig Newby who have played at Newcastle while those on the current roster are Mark Mayerhofler, Mark Sorenson and Loki Crichton. Internationals Matt Burke, Jonny Wilkinson, Toby Flood, Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait also play for the club.
"I think Carl wants a new lease of life, a change of scenery, those sort of lifestyle factors," said All Black coach Graham Henry.
"He is a great team guy and hugely respected, and we hope he comes back and plays for the All Blacks again but there is always the risk of someone going well in his absence.
"There is a lot of money in the game in the UK and Europe but whether it is beneficial them buying teams I am not sure.
"However, there have been a few of these deals smouldering away and I think it is best we get them out of the way before the All Black programme starts."
The Herald understands deals for about 20 current or recent All Blacks expire at the end of this year.
The NZRU said it was very disappointing to lose Hayman but recent defections would not alter the union's policy on All Black eligibility.
"The incredible amounts of money on offer in the UK and France are making it increasingly difficult for the NZRU to compete on straight dollar terms despite tremendous commercial support from our partners," said NZRU chief executive designate Steve Tew.
He said the NZRU was using every mechanism available to retain leading players.
"The dollars available overseas are a significant challenge. Our response has been to create the world's best rugby environment in New Zealand.
"We have invested in world-class academies and high performance programmes and we support that with the best coaches."
