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AIX EN PROVENCE - All Blacks prop Carl Hayman reckons a shift to England could extend his rugby career by several seasons.
Those praying the world's premier tighthead will be back in time for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand will be encouraged by Hayman's attitude towards his contract with Newcastle starting in the new year.
The 27-year-old said the demanding nature of rugby made it far more difficult for props to carry on to their mid-30s as they once did.
Indeed, the old adage was that a front-rower was merely a pup until they left their 20s.
"If you're at the coalface playing week in-week out, that has its wears and tears on your body and sooner or later you're going to break down," was Hayman's blunt assessment of modern rugby.
"Some guys are lucky to get through to late in their career injury-free. They might play a few games off the bench or different things like that.
"Some guys just have had enough and want to do something different."
For now, that is Hayman.
His contract ends in mid-2010 which means he could be back and available for the Cup on home soil aged 31.
His plans don't extend that far yet. All he knows is that the body is in need of a break.
"Potentially this could extend my years in the game," he said.
"There's a whole heap of test rugby that takes its toll on you physically and mentally at the same time.
"To not have those loads and to be based out of one place all the time should make a difference."
He hasn't watched Newcastle play at all on television, relying on friends in the Premiership to keep him up to date with the latest.
"My focus has been solely on the World Cup although it has been interesting to be in this part of the world, knowing that I won't be too far away in a few months time."
It is arguable that in scattered history of All Blacks leaving for overseas clubs or to a switch in codes, none have represented such a significant loss as will the burly Opunake-born prop.
Despite repeated pleas to stay from the New Zealand Rugby Union - backed by sizeable financial incentives - Hayman was adamant it was time for a fresh start.
You can't tell he is on the verge of any sort breakdown when watching his three lively performances so far at this World Cup, including one off the reserve bench at lock against Portugal where he unveiled a range of ball skills.
- NZPA
