Interesting development. The Wallabies have relaxed their previous hardline stance on selecting overseas-based players but they've added some conditions. Overseas-based players are eligible to play for the Wallabies again but only if they have 60 or more Wallaby caps and only if they've played a minimum of 7 seasons in Australia.
This means that the likes of Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and George Smith are eligible again for the Wallaby RWC squad and it also means that players like Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia, Quade Cooper and James Horwill (who are all leaving Australia at the end of this season) can extend their Wallaby careers . . . although Genia, Cooper and Horwill are all currently short of the 60 test threshold and will need to play a few more tests to be eligible . . . something that may make them consider postponing their defection if they want to continue their test careers.
Looks like a workable compromise. The All Blacks and Wallabies have always had a strict no-selection policy when it comes to overseas-based players while the Springboks have gone to the other extreme where we're prepared to pick anyone playing anywhere. This looks like an option that the Springboks could also consider where we get the best years from the player and then if he's good enough, he can still go make the big bucks later in his career without losing his Springbok place.
You can read the full story here.
