Rugby: ARU relaxes stance on player signings

Stirling Mortlock is one of five Wallabies targeted by the Rebels. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - The Melbourne Rebels' recruitment campaign will move up a notch after the Australian Rugby Union relaxed its stance on the new Super 15 franchise's player transfer deadline.

The Rebels, who last week announced their first and only signing in former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani, successfully argued to the ARU board that the restriction on signing Australian-based players was unfair.

The ARU, eager to avoid another Western Force poaching frenzy, had set a May 31 deadline but on Monday announced that deadline for all provinces would be brought forward to March 15.

It has also provided the start-up franchise with the additional concession of an extension for reaching its working capital requirement, which is part of its licence agreement.

That will ease pressure on the privately-owned Rebels, who are reportedly seeking an additional A$6 ($7.6) million in private equity.

Investors have been waiting to see what kind of team the Rebels recruit before they commit to the franchise.

"The sooner we get moving in announcing key signings of Australian players, the sooner we can put together a financial proposition to build the brand of the Rebels so it was imperative that that changed to assist us," Rebels chief executive Brian Waldron of the date change.

"In essence this gives us 11 months to put together a team to run on the park and also to get the necessary funds together from a commercial and sponsorship point of view.

"I came out of last week's meeting with John O'Neill absolutely confident that the ARU was supportive of what we were trying to do and this confirms my belief.

"They want us to be successful, they want to help us be successful and at the same time ensure the existing provinces are protected where possible."

ARU Managing Director and CEO John O'Neill said players announcing midway through a season they would be switching to another team the following season was still a concern.

"However, weighing up the interests of the four existing Super Rugby provinces that wanted a level of protection around player retention, and the interests of the Rebels who want to fill their playing roster for 2011, we have come to the conclusion that the March 15 date is the best balance for all parties," he said in a statement.

"It was never going to be an exact science and after assessing the current situation, this is the best way forward."

The Rebels' wish-list includes five Wallabies - ACT Brumbies centre and former Australian skipper Stirling Mortlock, NSW five-eighth Berrick Barnes, Western Force flanker David Pocock and NSW prop Benn Robinson.

The Rebels are waiting to hear back from former league test star Mark Gasnier, who is playing rugby in France, after the ARU tabled him a formal offer.

- AAP