New Zealand will allow its five Super 15 rugby clubs to field two overseas players next season, ending a 15-year restriction which stopped teams from choosing players not eligible for the national team.

The New Zealand Rugby Union board approved the new policy on Friday but left restrictions in place on how foreign players can be used.

There are still recruitment regulations on New Zealand teams, including rules that no more than one foreign player can play in a specialist position such as hooker or scrumhalf.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew says the rule seeks to strike a balance between maintaining New Zealand's depth and strength while ensuring Super rugby "is the best international competition in the world."

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