Australia's four Super 14 rugby franchises will each be allowed to recruit two foreign players for next season following a change of policy announced yesterday

And this is good news to the Fiji rugby public meaning more Fijian players could be playing in Australian Super 14 teams from next year.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) board endorsed the rule amendment, which lifts a ban on the Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and Western Force from contracting any player who is ineligible for the Australian national team.

The rules allow the four provincial unions to each employ one "marquee" player, who has represented another country, and one "developing" player, who is eligible but has not yet represented a foreign country.

Contracts for the marquee players will be restricted to two seasons.

Fiji Rugby Union coaching director and Fiji 15s coach Ilivasi Tabua said the new rules were a blessing in disguise to the FRU.

“It is very good news because most of our players would get exposure at top level competition,” the former Queensland Reds and Australian rep said.

“Fijians are in top demand in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere and the new rule could expose our players to all standards of rugby globally. This is an open opportunity which could help develop our rugby.”

Tabua, once dubbed the ‘Human Skewer’ for his lethal attack and defence, said the Aussies could shop in Fiji for supplement players, loosies; from flankers to number 8, centres and wingers.

“The rugby world knows where Fijians are deadly. We are renowned game winners, good at ball retention and also good finishers, that’s where these teams would target. Overall the new rules are good news to Fiji.”

The new rules were given the blessing by ARU boss Peter McGrath.

"There is no doubt the injection of world class foreign players will create added interest in the Super Rugby competition," McGrath said.

"We're also confident overseas players will be excited about the potential opportunities.

"It will not stop foreign test players continuing their international careers outside Australia."

The policy was in part reaction to the flood of Australian and New Zealand players being lured to big-money contracts in Britain and Europe.

However, the ARU board reiterated its position of not allowing foreign-based Australians to be eligible for the Wallabies.

Fijilive

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