Wallabies duo sign up to stay in Oz

Sydney - Reds prop James Slipper and lock Rob Simmons have ensured they will have no immediate need for the new dispensation for overseas-based Wallabies by signing long-term deals to remain in Australian rugby.

Australia, which had previously considered only home-based players for selection, partially reversed their policy this week to allow players to continue their test careers if they have played 60 tests and seven years of Super Rugby.

Slipper, who has already met that criteria with 63 caps to his name, said his preference had always been to stay at home and has signed a new three-year deal through to the end of 2017.