ARU chief executive Bill Pulver is standing firm on the national contracting rules that prohibit overseas-based players being picked for the Wallabies.

While the glut of stars who have left Australian rugby for rich European and Japanese contracts in the last two years led to suggestions the ARU would overhaul it’s policy and allow foreign-based players to return to play for the Wallabies, Pulver believes that would irreparably damage the domestic scene.

“I still retain the view that if you open that up, you risk having a Super Rugby competition with no profile players and not a lot to offer for fans,” Pulver said.

“We’ll look at all the options, we’ll try to be as creative as we can, but with the basic position that we want to protect the quality of player we have for Australian rugby fans.”

media_camera ARU CEO Bill Pulver at the 2015 Super Rugby launch at the Sydney Opera House.

Most recently, Wallaby stars Adam Ashley-Cooper, Sekope Kepu and Nic White have announced they will leave after the World Cup, while many more are expected to join them.

Three new teams will be added to the 2016 Super Rugby tournament, including Japan, but Pulver said even players who join a rival overseas franchise will be ineligible for national selection.

“The rules require that you play in Australian Super Rugby teams,” he said.

“The 18-team competition will change things a little from next year, I’m sure there’ll be some thought given to whether we make any modifications but at this stage, no.

“All players have to play in the domestic competition in Australia in order to be eligible.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he would not be challenging that stance but is working on “creative ways of targeting players instead of just watching them leave”.

Pulver also addressed a number of other issues at Wednesday’s Super Rugby launch, including his expectations of player behaviour following last year’s debacle involving Kurtley Beale.

“When you’re in the world of professional sport you’d like to think that all your players are going to behave superbly all year,” Pulver said.

“They are well educated in the behaviours we want from them, and I’m hoping we’ll have a nice, smooth year in 2015.”

Asked how his relationship with Beale is, Pulver replied curtly: “Relationship with Kurtley’s fine.”

media_camera Queensland Reds James Slipper and ACT Brumbies Stephen Moore during the 2015 Super Rugby launch at the Sydney Opera House.

As for the ARU’s precarious financial position — the Brumbies and Western Force both paraded their 2015 jerseys at Wednesday’s launch without major sponsors — Pulver cited the tough market his code operates in.

“Australian winter sport is the most competitive market in the sun, there is no question soccer is enjoying a moment in the sun, the changing demography of Australia really suits growth in soccer,” Pulver said.

“AFL and rugby league have always been very strong sports, so we do compete in a ferocious market. But we’ve got something very special, that is out game rugby union.”

NSW Rugby is weighing up options as to the future home games of the Waratahs, with one proposal to abandon ANZ Stadium in the west in favour of playing all regular season games at Moore Park’s Allianz Stadium.

media_camera NSW Waratahs captain Dave Dennis with coach Michael Cheika during the 2015 Super Rugby launch at the Sydney Opera House.

“Broadly, the Waratahs have an audience which comes from inner-city, eastern suburbs, north shore, so you’ve got to play where they want to watch the games,” Pulver said.

The Wallabies face a daunting task at the World Cup in September, having fallen to fifth in the world rankings and in a tough pool, but Pulver said he is confident.

“It’s huge because a World Cup comes around every four years and it really is the barometer for how you’re performing,” he said.

“It’s fair to say our performances have not been at the level that Australian rugby fans find acceptable, yet I think we’ve got a playing group and a coach that I really think can make a point of difference.

“I don’t want to go predicting a win at the World Cup, but I clearly believe we’re going to be competitive.”