Holmes will train part-time with the Brumbies as a potential replacement for injured Wallabies captain Stephen Moore, who had a knee reconstruction in on Monday. But Holmes, 30, cannot commit to a full-time move to the capital while he juggles rugby with his Sydney job and family.

Ireland-bound Brumbies prop Ruaidhri Murphy has been training as a hooker to provide cover for injuries and looms as an option if a deal can't be worked out with Holmes.

Veteran rake Josh Mann-Rea is the only fit hooker in the Brumbies' squad because Moore is out of action for nine months and Siliva Siliva (knee and ankle) is out until the end of the year.

Holmes will commute multiple times a week to Canberra and train full-time in the lead-up to the Brumbies' next match against the Waratahs on June 28.

"We'll have more discussions when [Holmes] gets to Canberra and after he trains," said Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher. "Ruaidhri Murphy's in the squad and he's been working on his lineout throwing and scrumming, so he's there as well, we want to keep options open."

The Brumbies started training at their new $16.5 million facility at the University of Canberra on Monday. They have two regular-season games remaining and need to win both to ensure they play in the finals for a second consecutive year.

Brumbies players will return to the Canberra club competition on Saturday to maintain match fitness while the Super Rugby season is in hiatus for Test matches. Captain Ben Mowen, Ben Alexander and Jean-Pierre Smith are the only non-Wallabies representatives who aren't available to play for their respective John I Dent Cup teams.

Holmes will continue to play in Sydney until a decision is made on his part in the Brumbies' finals bid.

The Brumbies are also preparing to name their squad for their trip to a Singapore 10's competition next week, with coach Stephen Larkham set to pick a handful of Canberra club rugby players to give them a chance to impress.

Meanwhile, Canberra's junior teams were impressive at the NSW State championships, which finished on Monday.

The under-16s team was crowned joint champions with Gordon after a 26-26 draw in the final while the under-14s team beat Gordon 17-10 to win their division and the under-13s team finished third.

Canberra junior Tom Staniforth will start in the second row for the Australian under-20s team in its last pool match against Italy at the junior World Cup.

The Australian under-20s team needs to beat Italy after falling to England 38-24 last week and Staniforth will be joined by Tuggeranong's Andrew Robinson in the starting XV.