Hayden Taylor has ended speculation about his playing future, confirming that he will play his rugby in Italy next season.
After playing his 100th game for the Northland NPC side against Waikato on Saturday, Taylor said today that he signed with premier Italian club Roma last week.
The 26-year-old will head to
his new club on a seven-month contract at the end of the NPC in October, with the option to sign on for another two seasons.
That means Taylor is no longer in the running for a spot in the Blues Super 12 team, the talented fullback saying the Super 12 selection gamble was not worth it with a guaranteed income offered by Roma.
"If I knew I was in for the Super 12 next season I would stay, but there's no guarantees," Taylor said.
"I have done it before, held on and hoped like hell. But then when you miss out you have no options overseas because it's too late," he said.
Presented with an offer that was better financially than Super 12 anyway, Taylor said the opportunity was too good to be overlooked.
When he gets to his new base in Rome, Taylor will be living the dream.
"I am still working a 40 hour week and playing representative rugby. I see guys who just train and play and live the rugby lifestyle, I want to have a taste of that for a change," he said.
And while offered the option to return for representative duty next season, Taylor is unlikely to step out in the Northland colours again until his overseas contract has expired.
"At this stage I am just going for the off-season just to see what its like, but if it goes all right then I will probably stay there and play," he said.
"I want to come back and finish my rugby in New Zealand rather than the opposite."
The Roma club is one of the oldest in Italy, the premier side having once been coached by former All Black and now North Harbour coach Wayne 'Buck' Shelford.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
