The Courier Mail reports that the Brumbies’ legend George Smith has been secured for the rest of the season. Which was just as well considering how little game time Colby Faingaa has been getting.
AN extended clearance to play on for the ACT Brumbies should now make George Smith an irresistible target for a Wallabies comeback against the British and Irish Lions.
Smith’s Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath last night gave the crucial all-clear for the 110-Test great to be selected for the three-Test series if the Wallabies want him.
Sources indicate that the Australian Rugby Union has been playing a shrewd waiting game to see if Smith was even in the country in June-July before showing official interest in the champion flanker.
Smith, 32, was only on loan to the Brumbies until their May 31 clash against the Hurricanes before a key decision yesterday by his Japanese club shifted the goalposts radically.
Suntory told Jake White they can utilise Smith’s services until the end of Super Rugby in early August after overtures from the savvy Brumbies coach.