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BREAKING: Overseas players eligible for Wallabies selection

Matt Giteau, it's time to say goodbye. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
22nd April, 2015
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The Australian Rugby Union has announced a major overhaul in its player contracting policy, with elite players based overseas to remain eligible for Wallabies selection.

Announced today, and effective immediately, players who have appeared in over 60 Test matches for Australia and have had a contract with Australian Rugby for seven seasons will remain eligible for Wallabies selection, even if they are plying their trade overseas.

This is a major departure from the former hardline policy of not selecting Australian players based overseas, and could see the return of players like Matt Giteau to the national fold.

Another adjustment to the current policy is players who choose to return to Australia on a two-year deal with a Super Rugby club will immediately become available for Wallabies selection.

This brings Australia’s policy more in line with South Africa and Argentina’s policy, though those nations don’t have a cap on the number of games or seasons you have to play.

Players currently over the threshold plying their trade overseas include Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell. Both are now available for Wallaby selection.

The adjustment to the policy was approved by the ARU Board and endorsed by Super Rugby CEOs.

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said the policy change was an important strategic decision, and was in the best interests of the code in Australia.

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“This is a pivotal moment for Rugby in Australia, where for the first time in its professional history, the ARU will allow overseas-based players who have made a significant contribution to Australian Rugby to become eligible for the Wallabies,” Pulver said.

“It’s a decision that recognises the changing dynamics of a global Rugby market for professional players. Combined with our other recruitment and retention strategies, we feel this decision allows the ARU to assert more influence over player movement and contracting in Australia and abroad.”

Pulver said there were short and long-term benefits to be had as a result of the change.

“Those players who satisfy the 60-game and seven-year threshold have already invested heavily and contributed considerably to Australian Rugby over a long period of time,” he said.

“The policy also encourages those players who have not yet reached that point to commit exclusively to Australian Rugby in the prime of their career. In this way, we believe the policy supports Super Rugby by encouraging our top players to remain in Australia for longer.

“It also means we can invest more money into our younger players in the long-term, while ensuring our most experienced players leaving for overseas can still contribute to the overall success of the code in Australia – on and off the field.

“We believe having the option to select overseas-based players to represent the Qantas Wallabies, provided that they have made a commitment to return to Australian Rugby, will encourage the repatriation of Australians currently playing in foreign competitions and increase the pool of talent available to Australian Super Rugby teams and the Wallabies.”

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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said greater competition for positions would inevitably benefit the national side.

“It’s important to first and foremost recognise those players who are currently making a daily contribution to Rugby in Australia, but at the same time not discount those elite-level and experienced Test players who have already invested so much into the code over a long period,” Cheika said.

“From speaking with many of them, I know they still have a huge desire to represent Australia, and would do so to the very best of their abilities if ever called upon once again.

“In the end, we want the best players being rewarded for playing the majority of their career in Australia, and this is an important step to the future growth and success of the Wallabies.”

ROAR POLL – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ARU’S MOVE?

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