Following a long battle, Wallabies star Quade Cooper will be granted Australian citizenship after the Federal Government said it would change the rules. Not confirmed: that his game-winning kick on Sunday to give our national rugby team their first win in forever worked in his favour… The policy change will see eligible visa holders considered among the “most talented prospective Australians”, like Cooper, given greater flexibility to meet the residency requirements. Under the old rules, applicants needed to live in Australia for the past 4 years and not be absent for more than 12 months during that time. Now, they must live in Oz for at least 480 days over 4 years. Cooper, a Kiwi who moved to Oz at 13yo, had been knocked back for Aussie citizenship 4 times due to the time he has spent playing rugby abroad. “The unique work and travel demands on some of our most highly distinguished prospective Australians should not preclude them from making the cut,” Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said yesterday.