Thursday’s rugby news has the massive shift in Wallaby selection policy, Dennis re-signing and the Rebels keeping the faith.
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ARU relax eligibility rules
The ARU have introduced sweeping changes to its eligibility rules which will mean that former Test stars Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and George Smith can now return to play for the Wallabies at the World Cup. ARU chief executive Bill Pulver has announced that former Wallabies based overseas who have earned 60 Test caps and have held a contract with the ARU for at least seven years will now be eligible for Wallabies selection.
“Its a decision that recognises the changing dynamics of a global rugby market for professional players,” Pulver said. “The policy also encourages those players who have not yet reached that point to commit exclusively to Australian Rugby in the prime of their career.” Looking beyond the World Cu a swag of other stars heading overseas, including Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia and James Horwill, may be available for Wallabies selection.
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Tom Wood urges caution
While the ARU’s has targeted overseas contracts, English flanker Tom Wood has urged the RFU to continue to exclude overseas-based players. The Northampton flanker supported comments made by England hooker Tom Youngs, who claimed that a similar change in policy would undermine team spirit. “It is a team game and if people start to lose faith then people aren’t pulling in the same direction,” Wood said.
Former Wales captain Dai Young has also commented on the dangers of relaxing selection criteria, emphasizing that Wales’ decision to pick stars at overseas clubs had “wrecked” regional rugby in the country. Young emphasized the falling crowds in Welsh rugby, saying, “To me, England’s stance is absolutely right and they should stick to it, otherwise you will see the quality of the Premiership dwindle.”
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Dennis re-signs with Tahs
Waratahs captain Dave Dennis has signed a new contract with the ARU keeping him in Australia for at least two more years. The 31-year-old assumed the NSW captaincy under coach Michael Cheika at the start of 2013 and his decision to reject substantial offers from English clubs to remain in Sydney will be a massive boost to new coach Daryl Gibson.
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Sekope Kepu and Peter Betham have already confirmed they will leave the Tahs after the current campaign, joining a host of other Australian players heading overseas. Dennis will be desperate to feature in another Waratahs Super Rugby final appearance after suffering a heartaching season-ending knee injury before seeing NSW win their maiden premiership from the sidelines.
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McGahan has faith in Rebels future
Rebels coach Tony McGahan has emphasized that the franchise is in good shape amid calls for the club to be reduced to feeder status. After being given $3.3 million in ARU financial assistance last year, Mark Ella claimed that the Rebels should become a feeder club for NSW or Queensland.
McGahan said his players had faith in the club’s direction and future, as shown by the retention of many of the team’s proven Super Rugby players such as Toby Smith and Mitch Inman. Rebels officials have secured 23 of their 34-player list until at least 2016. “The big thing you need is stability in winning organisations and winning businesses. Once you get a really good group of people, you’re really keen to get them to stay,” he said.
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