Almost a decade after White launched into Dowsett, then a 14-year-old touch judge at a school game in Sydney, the pair could reunite as the ACT Brumbies scrum-half duo next season.

Dowsett and South African recruit Conrad Hoffmann will battle to be White's back-up for next year's Super Rugby campaign.

White unknowingly sparked Dowsett's rugby ambitions when he unleashed in a St Gregory's-Scots College game while Dowsett was manning the sideline as an official. ''He kicked the ball out and I put my flag up, then he came over and gave me a spray that the ball went 20 metres further than where I was,'' Dowsett said.

''I was about 14, I didn't know what to say. I asked the head of sport afterwards if I could speak to him afterwards.

''Then I asked him how he practised his pass … he said he passed through a tyre 50 times on each side. It's pretty weird being here now. I haven't spoken to him about it, he probably wouldn't remember it but I do.''

Dowsett, 21, is starting his first stint as a professional after signing an extended squad player contract with the Brumbies for the coming season. White is in Europe with the Wallabies and will not be back at training with the Brumbies until January 6. It gives Dowsett and Hoffmann a chance to impress coach Stephen Larkham and stake their claim to partner White.

''Everyone's impressed with Michael, he's got a good pass, he's quick and he's fit … he's put himself in good shape to come down here and train,'' Larkham said.

''His skills have definitely improved since he got here. You'd say White is our No.1 halfback at this stage, so there is a lot of competition for the No.2.

''Michael's strength is he's quick and fit … there's really been no one down here at the Brumbies who is the same as Michael. There's a lot of potential there.''

Dowsett is trying to juggle bulking up his frame while keeping his biggest weapon, his speed.

He weighs just 82 kilograms and is 182 centimetres tall, almost the same size as Wallabies rookie White. His aim is to be at least 85 kilograms by the start of the season so he can handle the Super Rugby physicality.

''I'll never be a big, ball-carrying halfback, that doesn't suit me,'' Dowsett said.

''A guy like Whitey is quick and I don't want to sacrifice speed to be big. I don't feel the need to get much bigger. I need to get better in contact, but I don't want to blow out. You can get away with being small if you're quick.''