Brumbies steam ahead despite NRL, corona, RA distractions

No coronavirus distraction talk. No worrying about what may or may not happen at Rugby Australia board level. No thoughts of the broadcast deal, or the threat of rugby league poaching stars.

The Brumbies are focused on one thing: making sure this year is not a waste. That means aiming to win an Australian title after McKellar said he'd love to see a play-off series in the new competition.

The mission started on the frosty fields at the University of Canberra, with the first group of Brumbies players fronting for training in minus-one degrees for their first session in almost two months.

Rugby will be phased in over the coming days and weeks before a scheduled July restart for a 10-12 week season against Australian teams, likely including the Western Force, and potentially the Japan Sunwolves.

"There will no problem getting motivated. I could take the boys out there now and play a game of four-on-four touch footy and I can tell you all eight will want to win it," McKellar said.

"If we're playing in a competition with the Waratahs, the Rebels, the Reds, the Force ... whoever it might be, we're not turning up to come second. We'll be preparing for how we prepared in January and our intention will be to go out there and win it."

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Asked if he would like to see a finals series, McKellar said: "If it is the competition we think it's going to be, you're still playing roughly 10 games I would imagine, a finals series is always a good way to finish your competition.

"I'm never a huge fan of first past the post I think it's always good for supporters, fans and everyone involved to have that grand final or that final occasion.

"I think it's good for players as well, for their own development, putting them in a more pressured situation so I'd like to see a grand final at [Canberra Stadium] if we can get crowds back but we'll see how we go."

The break has been kind to some Brumbies. Allan Alaalatoa (arm), Scott Sio (thumb) and Folau Faingaa (foot) have all recovered from injuries. Toni Pulu (shoulder) had surgery two weeks ago, Blake Enever is close to returning from an Achilles problem and Jahrome Brown is has a week to go on his quarantine period after being in New Zealand.

But there have been plenty of distractions, too. Rugby Australia administration instability has cast doubt on the game's future, there is no broadcast deal in place beyond this year and the future appears grim.

Rugby league clubs are reportedly poised to swoop if Rugby Australia can't pay its top players or offer them a suitable competition, with NRL offering a different career pathway.

Brumbies young guns Reesjan Pasitoa and Billy Pollard turned down NRL offers to choose rugby in Canberra, and Tom Wright and Solomone Kata decided to change codes to pursue their ambitions.

"At the moment it's uncertain times. You'd be silly to say the NRL's not a threat, but I think [their interest in players] shows a lot of respect for our game," McKellar said.

"It shows our club and game has a lot of quality young players coming through, they've chosen rugby and the Brumbies for a reason and I don't think that will change. Rugby is a game you can play globally, the life experiences and memories you will have from a career in professional rugby will be equally if not more important then the money you could earn".