Smith can lead ACT to a title

And while 32-year-old Smith hasn't played Super Rugby for three years, it took former Wallabies coach Jones just four words to convince Brumbies coach Jake White that Smith was capable of dominating the competition: ''He's still got it.''

The Brumbies unveiled Smith as a prized signing on Monday and the 110-Test Wallaby looms as the ''last piece of the puzzle'' as the two-time champions chase glory this season.

A meeting between Jones, White and Brumbies great George Gregan earlier this month prompted Jones to go to Japan to see if Smith was keen to return to Canberra in Suntory's off-season.

The Brumbies had a free roster spot with Ita Vaea out for the season as he fights a heart condition.

Jones - the Japanese Test coach - said the timing was perfect for Smith to make a comeback.

''He loves playing rugby and he loves the Brumbies … At 32 it might be his last opportunity to give Super Rugby a go and show everyone how good of a player he is,'' Jones said.

''He's still got it. He had 110 Test caps by the time he was 29. He's one year older than [New Zealand captain] Richie McCaw but no one questions whether McCaw should play for the All Blacks.

''George is a special player. He's fitter, stronger and faster than when he left, I've got not doubt about it.

''The reality is George has probably won more trophies than the whole Brumbies team together … special players like that can teach others how to win.''

Smith will train with the Brumbies for the first time on Friday after signing a deal for the rest of the season.

He has just helped Suntory to its fifth straight championship.

But while he has signed million-dollar deals in Japan and France, Smith's return to Canberra isn't about money. In fact, White said the contract value was ''laughable'' for a World Cup player, Super Rugby champion and nine-time Brumbies best-and-fairest winner.

''He's coming back to play rugby because he loves it, not for money,'' White said.

''The money I can offer him is minimal and that sums up what kind of guy he is. He's coming back because he's playing good rugby, he doesn't want to take a break and he loves the Brumbies.

''I know what he's worth to the team.''

White hopes the Brumbies' impressive start to the season and Smith's return will attract more than 20,000 to Canberra Stadium for the team's clash with arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs on March 9.

Smith is one of two championship-winning players - with Clyde Rathbone - on the Brumbies roster.

It's unknown how White will fit him into the game-day squad. David Pocock will keep the No.7 jersey that Smith made his own for a decade at the Brumbies.

But White can lighten Wallabies captain Pocock's workload and terrorise teams with a fresh Smith causing havoc late in games.

Jones said Smith had been playing as a blindside flanker and No.8 instead of openside flanker in Japan, ''and he reads the game better than ever''.

Brumbies powerhouse Fotu Auelua teamed with Smith at Toulon two years ago and while he will be battling with Smith for a spot in the game-day squad, the Samoan couldn't wait to reunite.

''He helped me a lot … there's only one George Smith and to have someone like that in our team is going to boost everyone,'' Auelua said.

''The way I saw him plan in Japan, I don't think he would ever fade away.

''To still have the passion to play, it means a lot to us at the Brumbies. He's world class and it will motivate me and the team to get better.''