Rugby: Super door ajar to foreigners

Frederic Michalak played for the Sharks; now the way is clear for such players in New Zealand Super rugby. Photo / Getty Images

A touch of the exotic will be introduced next year, when each Kiwi Super 15 team can contract two overseas players.

Agreement has all but been reached to begin introducing a foreign element in a bid to generate commercial interest and a point of difference. The move will also, potentially, open the door to a greater number of Argentinians - helping them with their transition into the Four Nations in 2012.

The South Africans have long been advocates of contracting big name foreign players and the likes of Juan Martin Hernandez, Gregor Townsend and Freddie Michalak have all played in recent years.

The Australians amended their rules so each Super 14 team can hire international stars - one marquee and one junior.

New Zealand has historically been reluctant to sanction a formal contracting structure for overseas players, as it has felt their inclusion would deny a local a professional contract.

In the past, franchises have been able to mount individual cases, effectively persuading the national union they couldn't find a local talent who was up to the job.

French prop Christian Califano at the Blues and Kevin Yates of England at the Hurricanes were sanctioned but when the Hurricanes wanted Australian first-five Brook James in 2005, they were rejected.

Under the new system, the NZRU will not block overseas recruitment unless the pay demands are too high. The NZRU could also say no if too many players are being recruited in the same position.

Rob Nichol, head of the New Zealand Players Association, says it was felt that as teams next year could contract 32 players as opposed to 28, there was leeway to include offshore talent without denying locals.

"It could generate a bit of interest and a bit of cross-fertilisation - with South Africans and Australians and others coming here. The most important thing, though, is that we don't end up with five first-fives here, blocking pathways.

"The money has to be right, too. We can't have offshore players coming at any price, as the payments are coming out of the player pool. So it will be a commonsense policy. We believe the right players can add quality on and off the field."

Franchises will be able to offer overseas recruits up to $180,000 a season. Any more will have to come from the NZRU and/or a third party.

Players from the Pacific Islands will not count as overseas recruits as is the case now.

The softening of the stance on overseas players is likely the first step towards a change in All Black eligibility.

While the New Zealand market will be open to all countries, it's likely South Africans and Australians will be of most interest, as they will have shown they can handle the pace and intensity of Super Rugby. So will Argentinians ahead of their likely involvement in a Four Nations from 2012.

But the very best South Africans and Australians will be reluctant if they have to give up test hopes.

Likewise, New Zealanders aren't going to shift if they hold All Black aspirations - largely defeating the purpose of opening the market to limited offshore recruitment.

For the market to work, players must be able to sustain test careers - which would benefit all three nations as without that carrot, most players keen to play elsewhere will head to Europe, for the money.

Such a system seems entirely manageable given that Daniel Braid has effectively been told he's in the frame for All Black selection based on what he has achieved at the Reds.

It's unclear how Northern Hemisphere test stars could stay eligible for their home countries.

Danny Cipriani has joined the Rebels and still wants to play for England. But Super 15 kicks off in February in the midst of the Six Nations.