Related coverage:

Robbie Deans is looking for a new openside flanker for the British and Irish Lions tour after Pocock tore an anterior cruciate ligament against NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

The Wallabies coach was in the stands when Pocock was helped from the field after just 13 minutes.

While he wouldn't have been happy with the sight, he was more than impressed with his replacement. Smith looked right at home in his Super Rugby return - a 35-6 thrashing of the Waratahs.

It was perfect timing for Brumbies coach Jake White, who has a ready made replacement for Pocock.

But Deans can't instantly access the 110-Test veteran.

Smith has a short-term contract with the Brumbies and is expected to return to Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath for pre-season training in June - three weeks before the three-Test Lions tour begins.

It means either Smith needs to be contracted with the Brumbies during the Lions tour or the ARU needs to change its selection policy.

Players not contracted to an Australian Super Rugby club are ineligible to play for the Wallabies.

Deans said he wasn't on the radar at the moment, but didn't rule him out if circumstances were to change.

''We'll cross those bridges, obviously he's not eligible so it's not part of our consideration for now,'' Deans said on Monday.

''There's an awful lot of footy to go before we get to that so we'll just leave it there for now.''

Deans was blown away by how well Smith slotted into the Brumbies line-up - it was as if he'd never left.

Smith played his 129th game for the Brumbies - a club where he won two Super Rugby titles and almost every individual honour in the game.

''George was George. He's a remarkable rugby player, incredibly resilient in terms of his longevity, but he performs as well,'' Deans said.

''He didn't bat an eyelid, he entered the game and he just did what he's always done. It was great for all parties to have him back.'' While Smith put a smile on 20,000 faces at Canberra Stadium, the sight of Pocock struggling off the field was a major concern.

Deans felt the Wallabies were better prepared to deal with the loss of Pocock - a 45-Test veteran at just 24 - after he damaged cartilage in his knee last year. The Wallabies have Michael Hooper and Liam Gill waiting in the wings.

Deans ''really felt for 'Poey''', but was confident there was plenty of rugby ahead for the No. 7.

''He's been a key part of our group for a long time now, despite being a relatively young age, and he's one of those blokes that does impact on the game significantly,'' he said.

''In the Lions series someone as strong as him over the ball would have been invaluable. I guess now when we reflect on last year it's a good thing the likes of Liam and Michael Hooper had the opportunity to get some experience at the next level because they're going to need it.''

Meanwhile, Pocock has requested all details of his surgery - when, where, whether it was traditional or LARS surgery - to remain private as he concentrates on his recovery.

SUNDAY

Super Rugby, round 5: ACT Brumbies v Durban Sharks, at Kings Park, Durban, 2.05 am.

TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2