The Brumbies are hoping to extend George Smith's stay. Photo: Getty Images
Brumbies coach Jake White says he will look into extending the loan of Wallabies great George Smith from Japanese club Suntory.
Smith, who is on a three month loan from Suntory during their off-season break, has been a revelation for the Brumbies following the season-ending injury to fellow openside flanker David Pocock.
If the Brumbies are successful in extending Smith's stay, the flanker will be have cleared the first hurdle in a bid to represent the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions in June and July. Once an extension is in place the Australian Rugby Union only has to allow him to play and the Wallabies selectors must be interested. Fairfax Media understands that the latter is a certainty.
Despite missing the opening two rounds, the 32-year-old ex-international is only behind Reds flanker Liam Gill for the most pilfers and turnovers forced in the entire competition after six rounds.
White said he would like to keep Smith in the side and will speak to whoever he needs to in order to find out if it's possible, before quickly adding he didn't want to rush the process.
"I think it would be a bit unfair for me to literally after two or three weeks start phoning and say `How long can I have him for?'" White said.
"They (Suntory) have been really kind by loaning him to us.
"So what I'll do is just wait and see how the season pans out."
Meanwhile, standout fullback Jesse Mogg and halfback Nic White are expected to return from injury to bolster a battered and bruised lineup this weekend against the Bulls following the Brumbies' first defeat of the season.
The Brumbies lost to the Stormers 35-22 in Cape Town on Sunday morning and will take on their third South African franchise in as many weeks at Canberra Stadium this Saturday night.
While the Brumbies must overcome the jetlag of their trip back from South Africa, the Bulls have only to travel from Brisbane where they lost narrowly to the Reds on Saturday night.
White said he was looking forward to having the long-range kicking abilities of late-withdrawal Mogg and halfback White for the Bulls as it was an area of the Brumbies' game that was found wanting against the Stormers.
"Both Jesse and Nic are very important in how we get from our D and C zone into the A zone," White said.
"They recovered quite nicely in their week off so I'm hoping all things being equal they'll be available for selection.
"It's a major boost because they've been so good for us this season."
AAP with smh.com.au
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