Rugby: Hayman top of the props

Greg Somerville could be an ideal target for Australian teams. Photo / Getty Images

If Carl Hayman comes home, Australia will have as much reason to rejoice as New Zealand.

Australia's Super Rugby franchises are already sounding out Kiwi props on the periphery of the All Blacks about a move across the ditch.

The logic is simple - with Hayman back, one of the current pool of international props will almost certainly miss out on a squad place at the World Cup.

The new franchise in Melbourne is in aggressive recruitment mode as they try to build a competitive squad ahead of their debut next season. A seasoned Kiwi prop with test experience would be an ideal purchase and they will pay good money to get one.

The Rebels are able to contract up to 10 overseas players and with private equity keen to get involved, agents report there is significant interest among players to shift to Victoria.

Greg Somerville, currently playing for Gloucester, is thought to be their first choice, as the most-capped All Black prop in history is off contract in June and not entirely convinced the cherry and whites have the man-power to challenge.

No one disputes Hayman will be installed as the No 1 tighthead with Tony Woodcock equally secure in the No 1 jersey.

That leaves recent All Blacks Neemia Tialata, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh unsure whether they will fit into the national team during the next 18 months.

It's not just Melbourne who are keen on front-row rocks. The other Australian franchises, who have the ability to sign two marquee players each, are circling.

Former Hurricane Tim Fairbrother was picked up by the Western Force this year and came with the bonus of being eligible for the Wallabies through his Australian grandparents.

Australia have a chronic shortage of quality props - a problem they are desperate to fix to prevent the national team being exposed at scrums.

There are also rumblings that the probable return of Aaron Mauger will spark a flurry of Australian interest in Kiwi midfield backs.

Mauger is coming home with a view to cracking the World Cup squad and, if he can prove to be the same player he was before he left, he's going to be hard to leave out.

That will put pressure on incumbents Ma'a Nonu and Luke McAlister and also see quality operators such as Callum Bruce, Benson Stanley, Ryan Crotty and Jayden Hayward drop further down the pecking order.

Sam Tuitupou, currently with Worcester, has been interested in a return home but is also now on the radar of the Rebels.

But while there has been plenty of discussion and sounding out, the actual number of players lured home or to Australia is expected to be limited.

"I think it's way overstated," says player agent Bruce Sharrock of the agency World in Motion on the number of New Zealanders looking to come home. "It's always an option but the harsh reality is that there is still a massive financial gap."

That's a view backed by Essentially Group's Simon Porter, although he does believe the switch to a direct contracting model next year, with franchises able to sign players directly, should make it easier for players to return.

"The new model will allow a direct value to be placed on the players."

Under the current model, the New Zealand Rugby Union determine how much players will be paid and if they have little hope of being All Blacks, their salaries will reflect that.

The new model will allow franchises to bump up values for players who may not be good enough for the All Blacks but will be integral members of their squads.