McKee applauds World Rugby’s decision to extend the residency laws to 5 years

Vodafone Flying Fijians coach John McKee says World Rugby’s decision to extend the international residency period from three to five years for foreign players will result in a “fairer” playing field.

Currently, a foreign player only has to live in a country for 36 consecutive months to be eligible to then represent their adopted country at Test level.

As a consequence many countries, particularly from the Pacific Islands, lost homegrown talent to richer European markets and Australia, New Zealand and Japan — who could dangle lucrative contracts in front of those players.

But the latest announcement means that from 2020 on, foreign players will have to wait five consecutive years to become eligible to play international rugby for their adopted country.

The decision is designed to encourage players to play for their country of origin.

McKee applauds World Rugby’s decision to extend the residency laws to five years.

Next month, Fiji will play the Wallabies in Melbourne before test matches against Scotland and Italy in Suva.

The Flying Fijians will take on the Wallabies on June 10th.