Australia to relax rules on foreigners playing in Super 14

BRISBANE, Australia (Reuters) - Overseas players could be playing for Australian Super 14 teams by next year, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said Thursday.

The ARU board has agreed to relax the current ban on players ineligible for Wallabies selection playing for any of Australia's four Super 14 sides.

The board said in a statement it was awaiting final details of the foreign player policy, which is being developed in consultation with the Super 14 member unions, the Rugby Union Players' Association and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Discussions are in progress and a final submission will be presented to the board for approval on September 5.

"It was agreed the time is right to make this change," ARU chairman Peter McGrath said.

"We are moving towards transformation at Super rugby level and allowing foreign players to be involved with our teams -- not for the first time -- is part of that evolutionary process."

(Reporting by Andrew Stevens; Editing by Ed Osmond)