ARU aim to reverse player drain
August 02 2008
The Australian Rugby Union has taken a step to turn the tables on rich Northern hemisphere clubs by proposing to make foreign players eligible to play in the Super 14.
The proposal to change its eligibility rules for foreign stars is expected to be approved at the next ARU official board meeting meaning Northern hemisphere players could appear Down Under by 2010.
Imports would have to be paid within existing salary cap conditions and it appears that only two foreign players will be allowed at each of Australia's four franchises.
The foreigners would also be subject to a two year contract.
Former Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie, now at the helm of French Top 14 side Stade Français, has been a long-time advocate of foreign players.
"It is logical, as with four Australian teams we have enough diversity to supply the Wallabies," McKenzie told the Irish Independent.
"It would be great to get more bums on seats and create more interest and more revenue for the clubs. You hear on the grapevine that guys like Brian O'Driscoll want to play in the Super 14.
"Someone like that playing in the competition would have to help to raise the profile of the game. You can't underestimate the power and intrigue of high-profile players coming into a competition.
"Maybe you can have one foreign player, and the other player could be from a targeted developing nation. You don't take the player, but develop them on behalf of another country.
"We have to make the jump between not having foreign players to having foreign players. Once we make that jump, then we can start looking at the mechanics of it."
The move has also been supported by Munster's Australian-born director of coaching Tony McGahan.
"Dan Carter is a world-class player and although it's a massive loss to New Zealand when he's away for six months it's a feather in the cap of northern hemisphere rugby to have one of the world's best players in European competition," McGahan said.
"Brian O'Driscoll has made it known that he wants to play in the southern hemisphere's Super 14 competition and I don't see any reason we he shouldn't be allowed to have his wish.
"Rugby is a global sport these days so I would welcome the opportunity for some of the Munster players and other Irish and European players to play in the southern hemisphere before coming home to continue their careers with their clubs.
"It's a restraint of trade for the authorities not to let them play in other countries but perhaps the situation might change in the future."