As we have seen in recent news reports regarding sport, foreign players are becoming regular fixtures in sports teams worldwide. Only last week did cricket announce new plans for targeting international shores.

It seems that now the Aussies are turning to developing multi-cultural teams, with news just announced that for teams in Super 14 they will now be able to sign two players from overseas, this is after the Australian Rugby Union lifted its ban on foreigners.

In addition to this rule provinces will also be allowed to sign one marquee foreigner – who will never be available to play for the Wallabies – and a developing player yet to represent his country at Test, Sevens or A-team level.

It is thought that by turning to overseas players Super 14 will not only become more strengthened in terms of talent, but international interest will grow, as it has in other sports such as football.

Most sports are run as businesses nowadays and by allowing foreign players into home leagues and divisions it can be very profitable for the individual teams and the sport as a whole.

Teams looking to recruit top foreign stars will need to apply to the ARU and the length of a marquee foreigner’s contract will be a maximum of two years.

ARU chairman Peter McGrath says that “There is no doubt the injection of world-class foreign players will create added interest in the Super Rugby competition. We’re also confident overseas players will be excited about the potential opportunities.”

As greater numbers of international players migrate to Australia for greater opportunities the sincere concern however is one which accompanies most sporting divisions employing sports stars to work in Australia or any other country, that is ‘obtaining visas.’

All players will need to get work permits in order to play in Australia; however the normally straight forward process is set to get complicated, especially with players from a whole wealth of countries applying with strict deadline. All I say is watch this space.