Wallabies offer World Cup lifelines to Matt Giteau, George Smith and Drew Mitchell

In one brief but ground-breaking announcement from the Australian Rugby Union, George Smith, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell were offered the hope of reviving their Wallabies careers in time for this year’s World Cup.

The policy shift to allow foreign-based Australians to play test rugby for the first time was aimed at mitigating the impact of the exodus of talent at the end of the season but also handed Wallabies coach Michael Cheika a potential 266 caps worth of experience.

The France-based trio immediately became eligible for international rugby again as they fulfil the ARU’s criteria of having played 60 tests and seven years in Australian Super Rugby sides.