ARU opens S14 teams to foreigners

The Australian Rugby Union confirmed on Thursday that foreign players could be allowed to play for Australian Super 14 franchises from as early as next year.

The Australian Rugby Union confirmed on Thursday that foreign players could be allowed to play for Australian Super 14 franchises from as early as next year.

Under current laws players ineligible for Wallabies selection cannot play for any of Australia's four Super 14 sides, but the ARU board has agreed to relax that ban and is in the process on drawing up the details for new rules.

The ARU board are awaiting final details of the “foreign player policy”, which is being developed in consultation with the Super 14 member unions, the Rugby Union Players' Association and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, the ARU said in a statement.

Discussions are “in progress” and a final submission will be presented to the board for approval on September 5.

The submission will include the number of foreign players a province would be permitted to recruit.

“It was agreed the time is right to make this change,” ARU chairman Peter McGrath said in the statement.

“We are moving towards transformation at Super Rugby level and allowing foreign players to be involved with our teams – not for the first time – is part of that evolutionary process.

“When the game first went professional and Super 12 was launched, there was an opportunity for Australian teams to recruit overseas players.

“It proved an immensely successful venture in some instances.

“The re-introduction of foreign players will have advantages for our teams, for our fans, and for overseas marquee or emerging players wanting to experience the best provincial competition in the world.”