Rugby Australia relaxes 'redundant' limit on foreign-based players
The so-called "Giteau Law" -- named after former fly-half Matt Giteau -- has for years put restrictions on overseas-based players being selected for the Wallabies.
But with Test stars such as lock Will Skelton, flanker Tom Hooper and prop Taniela Tupou all joining an exodus to Europe, Rugby Australia has indicated the Giteau Law has been dropped.
That gives head coach Joe Schmidt a free selection hand when he names his squad for the Rugby Championship this week.
"Joe's got no impediment to select whoever he wants," Rugby Australia head of high performance Peter Horne said.
"The Giteau Law, it's kind of redundant right," Horne added in comments reported by rugby.com.au.
Schmidt is due to name his squad Thursday for the Rugby Championship which begins this month.
Scrapping the rule would also benefit incoming head coach Les Kiss, who takes over the Wallabies next year tasked with preparing for the Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2027.
The Giteau Law was adopted by the Wallabies in 2015, allowing overseas-based players to represent the side only if they had played 60 Tests for Australia and seven seasons of Super Rugby.
It enabled players such as Matt Giteau, who was then starring for Toulon, to be picked for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Before then, Australia had a blanket ban on overseas-based players representing the Wallabies.
sft/dh
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
33 minutes ago
- ABC News
Former Fijiana captain Lailanie Burns well prepared for her new role as Director of Fiji Rugby and member of the board
After signing a memorandum of understanding with China back in May, the Fiji Rugby Union have signed a second M-O-U, this time with Qatar. The three year deal involves what's described as a comprehensive partnership covering player exchanges, coaching programs, joint training camps, and commercial opportunities for both countries. The latest member to join Fiji Rugby's board, Lailanie Burns, will be at the heart of driving the commercial aspect of the agreement, in her now role as Director of Rugby. The former Fijiana captain has had a long-standing ambition to be involved in rugby governance in Fiji, and when the opportunity came her way to join the board, she says she was well prepared.
News.com.au
37 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Olympic, Commowealth Games champs added to Sport Australia Hall of Fame
A six-pack of exceptional athletes and one of the world's most respected sports medicine practitioners have been announced as the newest members of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. From Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallists to champions of team and individual sports, six of the nation's most exceptional athletes will be inducted into one of the most select clubs in the country in November after their contributions on and off the field were recognised. Two-time grand slam tournament champion Lleyton Hewitt, four-time VFL/AFL premiership winner Jason Dunstall, Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup-winning captain Laura Geitz, former Australian rugby league captain Cameron Smith, Olympic snowboard gold medallist Torah Bright and Australia's most-capped Socceroo Mark Schwarzer make up a stellar list set to be recognised. They will join an honour role featuring the biggest names in Australian sport, including Sir Donald Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe. While athlete membership of the Hall of Fame belongs exclusively to the top echelon of Australian competitors, Dr Peter Harcourt, one of Australia's most experienced sports medicine practitioners will be inducted as a general member to recognise his distinguished career spanning over four decades. Harcourt worked tirelessly with several national and international sporting organisations, including in basketball, cricket, the AFL and Commonwealth Games, while he has made significant contributions to sports medicine in injury prevention, concussion management and return-to-play protocols, as well as anti-doping monitoring and practices. Sport Australia Hall of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney said the seven new inductees was a diverse group that had represented the country in team and individual sports at the highest level. 'They've inspired generations of Australians and provided our country with so much joy,' McAvaney said. 'Nothing is obvious when choosing between champions from so many different sports but we know the class of 2025 sits comfortably alongside those who've already been recognised in the most prestigious Hall of Fame in this country.' The inductees talked of their honour at receiving recognition and the special place sport and the values it had taught them for life well beyond their playing days, played in their lives. Hewitt, who played 20 consecutive Australian Open championships and claimed the US Open and Wimbledon singles titles in a glittering career during which he became the youngest world no.1 at just 20, said the recognition was surreal. 'When you're playing your professional career it's not something you think about at all or focus on but over the years growing up in Australia we've had such a rich history – not only in our sport of tennis, but also in so many other great sports as well – that I've had so many great role models and idols that I've looked up to, all there in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame,' he said. 'So for me now to be inducted is an incredible honour.' Bright, Australia's most successful Winter Olympian after snaring snowboarding gold and silver medals across three Olympic Games, said sport had taught her 'everything'. 'Those early days skiing with my family built the foundation – connection, freedom and fun. Sport gave me confidence in who I am beyond results,' she said. 'It taught me discipline, self-awareness, and the importance of creating an environment that supports who you truly are. It taught me to believe in myself and in what's possible. It also taught me resilience … (and) most importantly, I've learned that it's all a game.' The 2025 Inductees will be celebrated and formally inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at a dinner in Melbourne on November 17, where two existing members will be elevated to Legends of Australian Sport status and the 2025 winners of The Don and The Dawn Awards will be announced.
SBS Australia
37 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
NITV News: 7 August, 2025
The Race Discrimination Commissioner calls on the government to adopt a First Nations centred National Anti-Racism Framework. Elders in Tardarnya Adelaide using playgroup to pass on language and culture to the newest generation. And Evonne Goolagong Cawley calls for more coaching to find the next big thing in First Nations tennis.
