Rugby Australia has confirmed the selection process of overseas players wishing to play for the national side, including the Wallabies, Wallaroos and the Sevens programs.
The amended policy will allow three players to be chosen from overseas per tournament, series, or competition.
Players will be eligible if they have played a minimum of 30 Test caps or have completed a minimum of five years’ service to Australian Rugby.
RA CEO Andy Marinos believes the deal provides a perfect balance between ensuring the best talent is available whilst maintaining the focus on picking players based in Australia.
“These amendments reflect a fit-for-purpose policy which will help our national teams compete at their best on the international stage across both the XVs and 7s games," he said in a statement.
“The updated policy follows extensive consideration and consultation, to ensure we could find the right balance between the importance of selecting players within our domestic competition structures, while also allowing the selection of overseas players as an exception, rather than a rule and only if that player has made a significant contribution to the game in Australia.
“Rugby is a global sport and we recognise the challenging environment we operate within where we realise we cannot keep all players on our shores.
“This policy shows we will continue to prioritise the players that are playing in Australia. These will be the first group of players considered for international selection before further consideration is given to any players playing abroad.
"Our national coaches and high-performance teams support this approach as they feel that our continued improvement on the world stage is best achieved through the localised and aligned management of our playing groups.
“Our message is simple, if you want to put yourself in the shop window for international selection you are still best served playing at home.”
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This sees a shift from the 'Giteau Law', which ruled players must have either 60 caps or seven years of service.
Along with this, players who are playing overseas but have signed a deal with an Australian club for the following year will be available.
This was seen throughout the France and Rugby Championship last season, with locks Matt Philip and Izack Rodda selected for the Wallabies from French clubs Pau and Lyon, having signed deals with the Rebels and Force respectively for 2022.
Fullback Kurtley Beale signed a deal with the Waratahs for 2023 last week, making him available for Wallabies selection in 2022.
