Wallabies scrap rule limiting foreign-based players

The infamous “Giteau’s Law,” which limited how many players could previous Wallabies coaches select from abroad, has been eliminated, according to Australian rugby bosses.

Among those who may stand out are La Rochelle’s Will Skelton, Taniela Tupou, Tom Hooper, and Langi Gleeson, who will play for Racing 92, Exeter, and Montpellier, respectively, next season.

However, Australia claim that if players are of “equal calibre” to an option outside their borders, head coach Joe Schmidt will favor them in one of their four Super Rugby franchises.

“But we’ve also made a choice to invest in our top competition in Australia because we should choose our domestic players if the players are of equal calibre.”

The Wallabies have struggled for depth and consistency in recent years, falling to sixth in the world rankings as a result of competing for domestic talent with Aussie Rules and rugby league clubs.

At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, the two-time world champions were eliminated from the pool.

Before 2015, overseas players who played for the Wallabies were largely prohibited in Australia.

However, “Giteau’s Law” was introduced to allow a certain number of overseas players who had served time in Super Rugby and the national team to still be chosen after the likes of playmaker Matt Giteau, wing Drew Mitchell, and prop Sekope Kepu were lured abroad by large contracts.

Players with a commitment to return to Australian rugby have been exempt from the overseas quota, which has been further relaxed in recent years.

Such moves are made by centre Len Ikitau and prop Angus Bell for the upcoming season-long sabbaticals at Exeter and Ulster.

Just before the three-test series between the British and Irish Lions came to an end, the wallabies hooker David Porecki has left the game.

The 32-year-old started Australia’s second Test defeat in Melbourne by going 29-26, but suffered concussion and a cut heel, respectively, in the third and first meetings.

Between 2015 and 2020, Porecki played for the Saracens and the London Irish before moving back to Australia to play for the Waratahs. He spent five seasons in England.

After being injured by first-choice skipper Skelton, he won the first of his 21 caps for Australia in 2022 and led the team to three matches of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.