The ACT Brumbies are set to beat a cross-code rival to the signature of Tom Wright with the Wallabies bolter desperate to put an end to months of uncertainty.
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Wright is poised to sign a two-year contract extension when the ice melts on Rugby Australia's contract freeze, which would keep him in the capital until the end of 2022.
It is a huge boost for the Super Rugby AU title favourites ahead of a showdown with the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
The Canberra Times revealed in June Wright was a priority signing for the Brumbies and Rugby Australia despite the contract delay.
Wright headlines a list of players the Brumbies are desperate to retain alongside rising star Mack Hansen, lock Cadeyrn Neville, and outside back Andy Muirhead.
Contract negotiations had been put on hold with Super Rugby clubs facing an uncertain future with Wright's former NRL club Manly Warringah Sea Eagles circling the in-form winger.
MORE RUGBY UNION
But the 23-year-old is set to put doubts about his future to bed to re-sign with the Brumbies as he edges closer towards a Wallabies jersey at season's end.
"I won't stand here and lie and say I haven't thought about it, but it's something that is out of my control," Wright said.
"All I can do is keep trying to play good football, and ideally the game continues to go in the right direction and we all keep playing good football and everything continues on the upward rise it is on. That stuff will take care of itself.
"At this stage of the season it's a week to week thing in terms of games. We don't really get a chance to look any further than a Saturday each week.
"This week now is all about getting back to Canberra and looking at the Reds."
Discussions between Rugby Australia officials and their counterparts from across the Tasman are ongoing as both parties look to settle on a competition model for 2021.
Australian bosses are adamant all five franchises have a future, with clubs keen to shore up their rosters as they take steps towards a new-look tournament to replace Super Rugby as we know it.
Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson is keen to begin locking away a handful of players in the coming weeks, with the green light to negotiate new deals a huge boost for those off-contract.
"It's definitely good. There is a targeted group of players we need to retain for next year and it would be good to give the players who are off-contract some certainty around their future," Thomson said.
"With the budgeting and modelling we've done to date, we'll be able to commence re-signing players. Over the next couple of weeks we will be able to get that all finalised hopefully."
The Brumbies already have a number of key players tied to long-term deals with captain Allan Alaalatoa on the books until the end of 2023.
Joining Wright in the ACT until the end of 2022 are the likes of Wallabies front-rowers Scott Sio, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper, as well as fullback Tom Banks and incoming scrumhalf Nic White, whose arrival means Joe Powell is likely playing his last season at the club.
All have worn Wallaby gold with Wright's stunning rise in Super Rugby after leaving the NRL with five caps to his name putting his name in the conversation for end of season Tests.
"It's all very flattering. It's nice for anyone to hear themselves being in that conversation. For the time being we're flat out trying to win a Super Rugby comp here for the Brums," Wright said.
"That's our goal here at the moment, obviously individual accolades come off the back of it. For the time being, week to week, everything is focused on the Reds next week."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND FIVE
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
