Top 14: Toulon line up Bakkies Botha and Reuben Thorne as latest big-name signings

26 March 2010

Toulon are back in the headlines just days after completing the stunning transfer of New Zealand's Carl Hayman. Now the big-spending Top 14 side is being linked with two more international stars, with South Africa's Bakkies Botha and former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne the latest to be tipped to join.

Reports in France claim Botha (30) will be in Toulon this weekend to sort out details on a two-year deal that would start after the 2011 World Cup, while Thorne (35) is said to be on the verge of agreeing a deal for next season.

Botha almost joined Toulon at the beginning of 2008/9 but the already agreed transfer from the Bulls was finally scuppered when the South African Rugby Union refused to sanction the move.

But Botha will be free of those constraints after the next World Cup and Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is keen to add the Springbok to his burgeoning collection of 'All Stars'. The Cote d'Azur club has already collected the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Juan Lobbe, Sonny Bill Williams, Felipe Contepomi, Joe van Niekerk and Paul Sackey, but Boudjellal's spending powers appear to know no limits as he continues to seek further big names.

The reported £650,000 per season deal for Hayman was enough to persuade the former All Black prop to turn his back on another World Cup shot last week, and it now looks as if he could be joined on the Cote d'Azur next season by country colleague Thorne.

Toulon's latest transfer targets come as the club itself continues to push for both domestic and European honours this season, with Philippe Saint-André having guided the side to the the ACC quarter-finals and the the verge of the Top 14 play-offs in his first season in charge.  

Top 14 Transfers 2010/11

Hayman, 30, last week acknowledged he was now likely to miss out on the 2011 World Cup – being held in his native New Zealand – after he opted to sign for Toulon from Newcastle Falcons.

“I hope if I am playing well enough and they want to pick me that they will, and that would be great,” said the Newcastle captain. “I totally understand the rules and do not expect to be picked, but all that is up to them to be honest. I am just going to try to play as well as I can, and if something comes of it that would be excellent, and if not, so be it,” he told The Journal.

“I guess the ball is in their court. Toulon have said they would release me for the World Cup, just like they would any other player under IRB regulations. I don’t know what will happen about that, but like I said, if I am playing well enough and they would like to pick me then I would be honoured to go back and take part in the World Cup. We will just have to see what happens.

“It was a huge temptation to go back home, and a big part of that was clearly to have another crack at the All Blacks, but I played my first Test back in 2001 so I had a number of years with them,” he added.

Top 14 Table  / Top 14 try-scorers / Top 14 Results / Top 14 Fixtures

The decision to opt for cash above country is undoubtedly a major blow to the All Blacks’ World Cup plans – unless there is a sudden change in selection policy – and Hayman confirmed that it had been a tough call. “It was a really difficult decision,” he told BBC Newcastle. “I had many interesting evenings torn over what I would do, so it’s good that I’ve made my decision,” he added.

The fantastic riches on offer at Toulon – where he will earn a reputed £650,000 per season – were undoubtedly the deciding factor in Hayman’s choice, but he also stressed that the club’s upward mobility had also been important.

“Earning power is a part of it, but so is Toulon’s form and the fact they are looking to push on into the Heineken Cup next year and they even possibly win the Top 14 this year. They are a club really on the move and it will be exciting to go and be a part of that,” he explained.

Toulon are currently fifth in Top 14 and also have a home quarter-final in the Amlin Challenge Cup. They have been transformed this season under the guidance of head coach Philippe Saint-Andre and are presently on a five-match winning streak in the league – including a fantastic 6-3 away win at mighty Stade Toulousain.

The tight-heap prop is the third Newcastle player to join Toulon within the last 12 months – following Wilkinson and Tom May – and the sixth confirmed signing for 2010/11 by the Cote d’Azur club. England internationals Paul Sackey and Dean Schofield have also committed to join, along with French players Jean-Philippe Genevois, Karena Wihongi (both from Bourgoin) and Clement Baiocco (from Racing-Metro 92).

Newcastle coach Steve Bates admitted the departure of Hayman was a massive blow to the north-east club, describing the Kiwi as “an outstanding player and leader”.

Newcastle chairman Dave Thompson said he tried everything within his power – and financial resources – to persuade Hayman to stay, but admitted that Toulon’s offer had been too good for the player to refuse.

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