GEORGE SMITH'S arrival in Canberra is the ''perfect solution'' to ensure David Pocock is at his peak to take on the British and Irish Lions in June, Clyde Rathbone says.
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And just two games into his heart-warming ACT Brumbies comeback, Rathbone is preparing to move aside and give Smith the limelight at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
Wallabies and Brumbies great Smith appears likely to play his first Super Rugby game since 2010 when the ACT takes on the NSW Waratahs this week. He has signed a short-term deal with the Brumbies to play in Australia during his Japanese off-season.
With ARU chief executive Bill Pulver locking in plans to rest Wallabies players leading into the Lions series, Smith is a ready-made replacement if Pocock is asked to sit out the Brumbies' clash with the Rebels on June 7.
Smith's contract in Canberra expires on May 31 and he is expected to resume pre-season training with the Suntory Sungoliaths.
However, it is understood the Brumbies could ask for a one-week extension to bolster their squad in the match against the Rebels.
''If someone like George knocks on your door and asks for a game, you bend over backwards to make it happen,'' Rathbone said.
''If [the coaches] do have to rotate [Wallabies flanker Pocock] for the British and Irish Lions tour, then George is the perfect solution. ''It's up to [coach] Jake [White] to decide how he gets used, but what a great problem to have.''
Having recruited a player with 110 Test caps, 122 Super Rugby games, nine Brumbies players' player awards, two championships and two John Eales medals, it is unlikely White will leave Smith out of the 22-man squad to play the Waratahs.
Where he fits into the line-up remains a mystery.
Smith played almost exclusively at No.7 in his decade at the Brumbies, only occasionally moving around the back row.
In Japan he has been playing as a blindside flanker or No.8 and can slot anywhere into the Brumbies' rotation.
Pocock is the Brumbies' first-choice openside flanker while Peter Kimlin and Ben Mowen have had outstanding starts to the season.
The Brumbies are aiming for a hat-trick of wins to start their season and are hoping to attract a crowd of more than 20,000.
Rathbone was the comeback story of round one after overcoming injuries and depression to play his first game since 2009.
Now it's Smith in the spotlight.
