The ACT Brumbies got a front-row seat to the David Pocock show over the weekend but coach Jake White insists he will not force the world's best openside flanker into a decision on his future.
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The Brumbies are continuing their attempts to lure Pocock away from the Western Force to join them in Canberra next year.
White caught up with Pocock before the Brumbies' 28-17 win over the Force in Perth on Saturday night.
But the World Cup-winning coach is being cautious with his recruiting attempt to ensure he doesn't put pressure on the Force captain.
''If he decides to come, that's fantastic. If he doesn't, we just have to keep going and find another player like Michael Hooper who has popped up this year,'' White said.
''I've made it clear from when I took the job that I want people to come if they want to be better players, come to Canberra and improve your rugby.
''It would be wonderful if a chap like David Pocock says he wants to come to Canberra and be a part of something I think is special in Canberra.''
If Pocock needed convincing that moving to the Brumbies would help him be successful in Super Rugby, he certainly got it in the first half of the clash at nib Stadium.
The Brumbies ran in four unanswered tries before half-time against some flimsy defence.
It was like Pocock was a one-man army with his teammates failing to help the star No.7.
He single-handedly saved at least three tries and was a constant presence at the breakdown disrupting the Brumbies' ball.
The battling Perth-based franchise has won just three games this season and sits at the bottom of the Australian conference.
Watching the new generation Brumbies flourish under White's tutelage could be one of the major factors in his possible defection.
But Pocock is preferring to keep his thoughts under wraps and it is believed which candidate the Force chooses to take over the coaching reins next season will influence his decision.
The Brumbies want Pocock to be the man to replace rising star Hooper - who has decided to join the NSW Waratahs next season.
If they fail to lure Pocock to the capital, White could leave his last roster spot open during the off-season until he finds a suitable replacement. Colby Faingaa is also a capable openside flanker who could step up.
''All I've done is made it quite clear that we have a place on our roster for an openside flanker with Michael [Hooper] going to the Waratahs,'' White said.
''There has been talk that David is coming up for renewal and we're handling it as diplomatically as we can in terms of we need to give him space.''
