Giteau has emerged as a World Cup bolter after the ARU broke new ground on Wednesday to overhaul its eligibility rules to allow certain overseas-based players to be selected for Wallabies duties.

The 92-Test veteran and former Brumbies skipper is poised to be included in Australia's 30-man World Cup squad for his invaluable experience as well as his ability to play any position in the back line.

It has cast doubt over the scrumhalf battle as White duels with Nick Phipps and Will Genia for selection and Giteau comes into contention as a back-up No. 9.

Phipps and Genia appear to be the preferred rotation while Test coach Michael Cheika faces a choice between a third specialist scrumhalf in White or Giteau's versatility.

Brumbies coach and Wallabies back-line mentor Stephen Larkham threw his support behind White and said combinations would play a major role in the squad's final make-up.

"On form at the moment, I think [White] warrants World Cup selection," Larkham said.

"There's a long way to go before we get down to [selection] ... we've got to discuss our squad and if Matt [Giteau] is in the squad, we have to look at where he fits in.

"You can only select 30 players and you've got to make sure the right combinations are in that squad."

Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans picked three specialist No. 9s for the 2011 World Cup, and overlooked Giteau for a spot in the squad.

Larkham and Wallabies captain Stephen Moore backed the ARU's new eligibility protocols, Moore declaring the system will "give the power back" to Australian rugby.

Moore also said Giteau would be welcome back in the Wallabies setup for the World Cup, but stressed the new eligibility protocols were not geared around one player.

Players who have given 60 Tests and seven years of service to Australian rugby are now eligible to chase lucrative European and Japanese contracts without sacrificing their Wallabies ambitions.

It thrusts players such as Giteau, George Smith and Drew Mitchell into the frame for Wallabies comebacks and potential World Cup call-ups.

It could also entice Brumbies prop Ben Alexander into a move overseas, while 92-Test rake Moore qualifies for the eligibility flexibility.

"It's a reality that we have to take a different stance, you can't have your head in the sand about it and ignore the flow of players offshore," Moore said.

"We've got to keep players in Australia and maximise that. But the guys who go, how do we capture them in the Wallabies program if they're good enough.

"Everyone will talk about Gits now, but this is a long-term solution and is designed to work for a long time.

"It changes the dynamic ... it can give a little bit of the power back to Australian rugby and I think that's a good thing. The player wins in both situations so I can't see it as a bad thing."

A host of Australia's top-line talent will go to Europe at the end of the year, including James Horwill, Will Genia, Nic White and Adam Ashley-Cooper, while Quade Cooper is reportedly on the verge of a deal with Toulon.

Ashley-Cooper has played 104 Tests while Genia, Cooper and Horwill are all closing in on the 60-Test target.

Giteau, 32, is at the peak of his powers at French club Toulon and has dominated the European competitions as a flyhalf and inside-centre.

"Absolutely [Giteau] would be welcomed back in, no doubt," Moore said.

"That's exactly why these kind of things are coming in ... the door isn't closed on players like [Giteau]. He's played 92 Tests and has been one of Europe's best players for a number of years.

"I think it's very smart to pick a player like that to play for Australia. It's not a saloon ride into any side, it's just the fact that you're eligible if you're playing well enough.

"It's more about the future to give us a contracting framework to make sure the Wallabies are competitive and have the best possible team."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 11

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Robbie Coleman, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Michael Dowsett, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Blake Enever, 4. Jordan Smiler, 3. Ruan Smith, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Jean-Pierre Smith. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Rory Arnold, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Nigel Ah Wong, 23. Rodney Iona.