Giteau's law

Giteau's law, or the Giteau law, is a name given to a practice by the Australian Rugby Union introduced in 2015 to allow overseas based Australian rugby union players to be eligible to play for the Australian national rugby union team. The policy change is colloquially named after Matt Giteau as the rule was seen as primarily to bring Giteau into the Australian side for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[1]

Background

Previously, players could play for the Australian national rugby union team only if they played for an Australian team in the Super Rugby competition.

Head coach Michael Cheika devised Giteau's Law to enable key overseas players to be eligible for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In April 2015, the Australian Rugby Union announced this new arrangement. [1]

The criteria to be selected for the national team under this law are:

  • Minimum 60 Test caps for Australia; and
  • Minimum 7 seasons at Super rugby level

The rule also allows players to return to Test duty immediately if they have signed with a Super Rugby club for the following two years.[2]

Effect

Assistant national coach Stephen Larkham said the rule enabled the Australian world cup squad to benefit from more experienced players. He said ""It’s not just a team that’s a little bit older and therefore more experienced (but) we’ve got the right number of experienced guys, the right number of older guys and the right number of younger enthusiastic guys."[3]

The New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Steve Tew said he would not implement such a rule as New Zealand "didn’t often follow Australia".[4]

Besides Giteau, Drew Mitchell returned from France for the 2015 World Cup under this rule.

Following the 2015 World Cup, head coach Michael Cheika hoped as much as 85% of the squad would be available for the 2019 Rugby World Cup including players available under Giteau's Law.[5]

Current eligible players

Domestic players

Below is a list of active players that currently plays in Australia but could move overseas and still be eligible for selection.

Overseas players

Below is a list of active players that currently play overseas and can continue to represent Australia.

Amended players[7]

Amendments

In 2020, Rugby Australia approved an amendment to the Giteau's Law that allowed up to two players from overseas to be chosen for the Wallabies.[7] Rugby Australia CEO Rob Clarke hoped that the new amendment would give scope and flexibility to Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

In February 2022, it was reported that the Law would be amended to permit players with 30 Tests or 5 years on a Super Rugby contract. In addition, the policy will restrict the Wallabies to just three offshore players per series or tournament.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Winners and losers under Giteau's Law". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 April 2015.
  2. "Matt Giteau Cost Himself 250,000 By Pursuing Rugby World Cup Dream". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  3. "Giteau's Law is More Valuable Than Creating Wallabies Milestones". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  4. "If Giteau's Law Backfires Look Out for Backflip from Bill Pulver". Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  5. http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2015/rugby-world-cup-wallabies-keen-to-retain-bulk-of-2015-squad-for-2019-tournament-in-japan/story-e6frf4zl-1227590798325
  6. Press, Australian Associated (2021-07-05). "Israel Folau makes shock return to rugby union after signing deal in Japan". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  7. "Rugby Australia announces amendment to 'Giteau's Law' selection policy". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  8. Iain Payten (2022-02-25). "Wallabies stars to miss World Cup as Giteau Law gets drastic makeover". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
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