Career
Hayman has previously played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby, Otago in the Non-Player Character, and in the English Premiership, as well as making 45 appearances for New Zealand at international level Hayman announced his retirement from professional rugby in January 2015, aged 35. He became the 1000th All Black when he made his debut against Samoa in 2001.
Since then he has established himself as one of the elite props in world rugby.
In 2005, Hayman played for the New Zealand Māori, against Fiji in Suva and against the British & Irish Lions at Hamilton. In 2006 he was shortlisted as one of 5 candidates for New Zealand Player of the Year.
On 19 April 2007 it was announced that Hayman had signed a 3-year contract with Guinness Premiership side, turning down an offer from league champions Sale Sharks to do southern A club source said of the signing "every top club in Europe has been chasing him, but he’s chosen to come to Newcastle and we’re delighted he has made that decision".
Hayman is strong enough to box squat 250 kg (550 lb).
Hayman reportedly became the best paid rugby union player in the world after joining on a contract reportedly worth $New Zealand one million (£350,000). A year until 2010. This contract was partly funded by Northern Rock – " sponsor. Hayman made his Falcons debut as a replacement in the EDF Energy Cup match at London Wasps on 1 December 2007.
On 22 March 2010, it was announced that Hayman would join French club at the end of the season.
He becomes one of a number of high-profile players that signed for alongside Jonny Wilkinson, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, Felipe Contepomi and Joe Van Niekerk. The decision to stay in Europe made him ineligible for the 2011 Rugby World Cup due to the New Zealand Rugby Union"s policy of only selecting players who have played in the New Zealand domestic competition.
In 2010, he was selected in the Barbarians squad to play Tonga on 26 November. On 6 January 2015, Hayman announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the 2014-2015 Top 14 season.
