Carl Hayman not leaving unfinished business

May 6 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

WHEN Carl Hayman leaves the Kingston Park turf for the final time on Saturday, his Newcastle Falcons captaincy will be far from complete.

Keen to keep pushing for a legacy that will endure long after his summer switch to Toulon, All Black powerhouse Hayman will not stop grafting in his role as Newcastle skipper just because the season comes to a close.

The Falcons entertain London Wasps at Kingston Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), when new head coach Alan Tait will take the helm for the first time after Steve Bates’ sacking on Tuesday.

Given that relegation is now not an issue after the sterling and dramatic 32-30 win at Sale and Worcester’s Leeds defeat that cemented their demotion, Hayman could be forgiven for kicking back and simply milking the adulation on his final bow.

But that has never been the measure of a man who not only maintained but also proved that his Northern Hemisphere switch was never just about the money.

Hayman chose Tyneside in the first place at least in part because of his love of all things rural, and also his keenness for surfing: and he has been able to explore both interests in abundance in the North East.