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DAN Carter in a New South Wales jersey could be a reality within two years following a historic decision by the Australian Rugby Union to throw open the doors to foreign stars in the Super 14.
In a move designed to combat cashed-up rugby competitions in France and Britain, the ARU has agreed in principle to allow non-Australian marquee players to play for NSW, Queensland, the Brumbies and the Western Force as soon as 2010.
The move will signal the end of the strict ARU eligibility policy, held for the majority of the professional era, that states only footballers eligible to play for Australia can represent Australian provinces.
The details of the marquee system are yet to be finalised but it is understood the proposal awaiting official board ratification next month would allow two foreign players per team, who would not fall under the ARU's Super 14 salary cap.
One could be a fully fledged marquee star - such as Carter, Brian O'Driscoll or Jonny Wilkinson - who plays for another Test nation and is keen to play in Australia.
This player would be limited to a two-year contract and could be paid on a par with the ARU's top stars like Lote Tuqiri, if the province can generate the finances for his salary.
Asked if he would be interested in playing in an Australian Super rugby province, Crusaders and All Blacks star Carter said he would consider the idea.
"It is not something I have thought much about but I guess so," Carter said while in Sydney last week.
"Obviously you are born and bred in certain areas and have real connections between your home teams. It is always tough to leave that.
"But in the professional game these things can happen. It is something you'd have to look at, the positives and negatives, if that was the case."
Australia remains one of the few countries in the world that strictly demands its players to stay at home to play Test rugby. South Africa and New Zealand (in the case of Carter) have in recent years opened the doors for foreign-based players to return for Tests.
Provinces signing a star like Carter however, must prove to the ARU they are developing youngsters at five-eighth or in the same positions so as not to weaken the future of Australian rugby and the Wallabies.
The proposed second foreign player allowed would even be a player still able to be converted into a Wallaby - a player who has not yet represented his country at a senior level, such as in a Test, A or sevens side.
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to ..........." 
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Originally Posted by tdevil
