The decision from the ARU to change the eligibility restrictions for international selection has two significant ramifications for world rugby and comes in the light of an exodus of sorts from current southern hemisphere players to the north after the 2015 Rugby World Cup. With the change in restrictions effective immediately, it will certainly open discussion on the return to the Australian national side from a number of players who effectively retired from Australian rugby once they signed for an overseas-based team.
The first ramification of this announcement is that the northern hemisphere teams no longer have open reign of the former long term Wallabies who they’ve contracted in the past and this will likely impact a number of pipeline deals with current Wallaby players on both sides of the table.
Northern hemisphere teams chasing deals with Australia players taking effect after the Rugby World Cup will think twice now as it means these players will likely be more vulnerable to injuries as players who are selected for national duty will essentially play a full year of rugby (with the southern hemisphere internationals occurring during the off-season). This might see a huge back down from the so-called northern raiders as they look to spend their money on cheaper more local players
Moreover, it may also see players considering huge pay-packet deals after the World Cup reconsider their choices as they seek the 60 test mark for the Wallabies before looking overseas. Players who are close to 60 tests but not quite over the line like Will Genia, Adam Ashley Cooper, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polata-Nau, Kurtley Beale and David Pocock may seek to stay in Australian rugby in order to reach that threshold before looking overseas for the big deals.
The second ramification of this announcement is that former Wallabies currently in exile in overseas-based sides come right back into the fray for selection for the national side. The likes of George Smith, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau and Rocky Elsom are suddenly in contention for national selection which has enormous importance to the state of the national side. Matt Giteau has been in the form of his life over the past few seasons for Toulon and is now available to be selected for the Wallabies.
What do you think about the ARU’s change to the eligibility laws? Good for the game or bad for business?