ARU to allow overseas stars

McGrath: Welcoming overseas signings

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The Australian Rugby Union has confirmed that they will allow their four Super 14 sides to field foreign players from next season.

A nine-man ARU Board accepted a management recommendation to lift the ban that has prevented teams from contracting any player ineligible for Wallabies selection.

The decision means that the Reds, Waratahs, Force and Brumbies will be allowed to sign a 'marquee' player - a player who will not be eligible for Australian selection due to the IRB regulations that limit a player to one country of representation in their career.

As well as that each franchise will be allowed to sign a 'developing' player - a foreign player who is yet to gain international honours at any level other than age-grade. Then after three years of residency they will, as per IRB regulations, be eligible for Wallaby selection.

However each province will have the chance to sign two development players if they chose not to sign an established international. However it will not be possible to sign two established Test players instead of at least one development player.

If a franchise does sign a foreign Test star they will only be allowed to do so for a maximum of two years at a time - with all signings needing to be ratified by the ARU.

Injection

"There is no doubt the injection of world-class foreign players will create added interest in the Super Rugby competition," said ARU chairman Peter McGrath.

"We're also confident overseas players will be excited about the potential opportunities.

"It will not stop foreign Test players continuing their international careers outside Australia.

"We will always protect the sanctity of Regulation 9 which gives a national body first call on their eligible players.

"However, the idea that marquee players might want to come to Australia is something we should allow our Provincial teams to explore.

"French fly-half Frederic Michalak played with the Sharks in South Africa this year.

"Likewise if there are talented young players in other countries who would like to pursue their Rugby dreams in Australia and one day play for the Qantas Wallabies, then this policy change will also open the door to them."