Regarded as the best tight head prop in the world, the All Black front rower joined the Falcons at the culmination of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Hayman made history back in 2001 when he became the 1000th ever All Black, making his Test debut against Samoa 117 years after fellow Otago forward James Allan became All Black No.1.

He came through the New Zealand system playing for every single national age group side, as well as the New Zealand Maori team which defeated the British and Irish Lions in 2005.