Wallaby star David Pocock remains a target for the Brumbies.
The Western Force openside is out of contract with the Perth-based franchise at the end of this season and has been heavily linked with a move to Canberra.
Brumbies boss Jake White has re-iterated his desire to sign a top-class No7 when youngster Michael Hooper heads back to the Waratahs and Pocock is clearly his first-choice for that role.
Former Springbok coach White is trying to ensure the capital’s pressmen don’t get too carried away with the story but he admits he would love Australia’s stand-in skipper to be a Brumby by the time the Lions head Down Under next summer.
"All I've done is make it quite clear that we have place in our roster for an openside flanker because Michael is obviously going back to the Waratahs," White, whose Brumbies side currently top the Australian Super XV conference, told AAP.
"There's been talk that David is coming up for renewal in his contract and we are handling it as diplomatic as we can in terms of giving him space.
"If he decides to come, that's fantastic and if he doesn't we have to keep going and find another player like Michael Hooper.
"I made it clear from when I took the job that I want people to come if they want to become better players and they can improve their rugby in Canberra.
"It would be wonderful if a chap like David Pocock says ‘I want to come and be part of something that I think is special in Canberra'."
Capturing Pocock’s signature would be a huge coup for the Brumbies as they look to recreate the success of the Super Rugby-winning sides of 2001 and 2004.
The 24-year-old was in sensational form in his country’s recent series whitewash of Wales and is expected to play a huge role in the Wallabies’ attempts to repeat that feat against the Lions in less than a year’s time.
