NZRU changes rules on foreign players
The New Zealand Rugby Union has relaxed its rules on foreign players. The union is now allowing Super Rugby teams to carry two foreign born players on their rosters for next season.
Nevertheless, the two player allowance for next year is contingent on whether or not the team does not already have a foreign born player on their current roster. In addition, the two foreign players cannot
be used in the same speciality position.
Prior to the new arrangement players born overseas were allowed to fill holes in the roster that the team could not fill with local talent.
The NZRU chief director Steve Tew spoke on the new rule.
“We’ve been trying to strike a balance between the need to maintain our ability to build our player depth and develop New Zealand rugby so that we maintain a winning All Blacks environment, with our commitment
to ensure Super Rugby is the best international competition in the world. We will monitor this very closely.”
The strict rules in New Zealand rugby are said to contribute to the country's consistency in the sport and their non-stop development of skilled young stars.
Nevertheless, the decision was made in the hope that it would help to expand an already successful New Zealand Super Rugby league as well as make the game more competitive.
The new rules are thought to be geared mostly towards Argentinean players who cannot join leagues at home because the government does not allow professional rugby. Right now most Argentine players have
to travel to Europe to play, however the new rules are likely to attract them to New Zealand as they are able to remain in the southern hemisphere.
Tew also spoke on the expected influx of Argentine players, saying. “We are hopeful that we’ll get some Argentinean players playing out here, which will help them secure their players in a professional
rugby environment that lines them up with the same calendar as their Test matches.”
The Super Rugby decision isn't the only rugby tie being strengthened between the two nations, as Argentina is expected to be admitted to the Tri Nations tournament after the Rugby World Cup.
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