Monday 6 April 2015 13:56, UK
Carl Hayman has admitted Toulon still have plenty to do if they are to secure a third successive European title.
Despite a 32-18 Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Wasps Toulon captain Hayman admitted Bernard Laporte's men were distinctly underwhelmed by their performance levels in securing a place in the last four.
The Cote d'Azur outfit had Frederic Michalak's unerring boot and Ali Williams' late try to thank for a victory littered with error and inaccuracy.
Toulon will host Leinster at Marseille's Stade Velodrome on April 19 in the semi-finals, with Hayman conceding vast improvements are required to lift the inaugural Champions Cup.
Obviously it would be fantastic to go out on a high, Jonny Wilkinson was able to do that last year when we won the double and he fully deserved it.
"If we want to be in London for the final we've got a lot of work to do," he said. "If we're honest with ourselves that was nowhere near what we expect against Wasps, and we're going to have to make big improvements quickly.
"It's great to get through of course, and winning is what counts ultimately, but there were far too many mistakes."
"We always try to look for width on the ball and balance that with our power game, so we'll look to continue that, but we've got to make better decisions on the field.
Struggle
"Little mistakes, penalties at the scrum, they cost us, and that hurt us. Take those out of the game and we're in a far better position at half-time."
Toulon's back-to-back European crowns has only been matched by Leicester and Munster but no team have won three times in a row.
The challenge will be difficult for Toulon, who are adjusting to life without Johnny Wilkinson and appear to struggle during Matt Giteaus’ injury-forced absence.
The former Australia pivot returned via the bench at the weekend, leaving Michalak to lead an at times befuddled line.
Beyond the hunt for a Champions Cup win, Hayman also has his retirement to think of. The 35-year-old is
currently completing coaching courses in France with a view to launching an off-field career in Europe.
"I won't burn my boots," the 45-cap All Black player said, hinting he would be available should New Zealand suffer a front-row injury crisis at the World Cup in England, but success at club level is top of his agenda.
"Obviously it would be fantastic to go out on a high, Jonny (Wilkinson) was able to do that last year when we won the double and he fully deserved it,” Hayman said.
"But like I said, there's a fair bit of work in front of us before we start thinking too much about any of that."
