Wright has signed a two-year deal to link with the Brumbies and reignite his rugby union career after a three-season stint with the Manly Sea Eagles.

The versatile back made his NRL debut this year and played five games for Manly, but an opportunity to move to Canberra to start a Super Rugby journey was too good to pass up.

Wright grew up in Sydney playing against three-Test Wallaby Maddocks and the pair are still close friends despite taking different professional career paths.

But Maddocks has paved the way in rugby union for young and exciting talent to force their way into Wallabies gold and Wright hopes he can earn a Brumbies starting spot to chase the same goals.

"I saw Jack's mum after he made his debut ... we've known each other since we were knee-high to a grasshopper, since we were five or six years old and now we could be playing each other again [in Super Rugby]," Wright said.

"I know [South Sydney star Angus Crichton] as well and we keep in touch. They're both good fellas.

"Jack has done really well for himself in the last 18 months, he came out and started killing it and put his name on the map. I'm stoked for him - he's the best fella.

"The way I see Australian rugby going at the moment, they're starting to play some expansive footy and that suits what Jack has been doing at Super Rugby level.

"I take heaps of confidence out of what Jack has been able to do. He's set a bit of a platform ... he swooped on his chance and I think he's going to hold his position.

"That's what I'm taking for my move to Canberra. Rip in and the rewards will come from that."

Wright will move to Canberra in November to join the Brumbies when they start their pre-season training schedule.

He is viewed as a candidate to fill the vacant No. 12 position, and will compete with Jordan Jackson-Hope and Irae Simone for the start position.

But Wright can also fill the flyhalf role or fullback, and showed his skills in brief opportunities during a rollercoaster year for Manly.

Wright said the senior players helped shield young guns from off-field drama, which is expected to see coach Trent Barrett leave the club in the coming months.

Wright was just relishing the chance to play after two injury-riddled seasons. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament not long after signing his contract with Manly and then fractured his cheek during the under-20s competition.

The 21-year-old was a schoolboy rugby star when Manly scouts spotted him while playing for the Australian team.

"I grew up playing both league and union. I've taken a lot from Trent in my three years at Manly," Wright said.

"I'm really grateful, I could to live a childhood dream and playing in front of 50,000 people at Suncorp Stadium, or play against Cameron Smith. I'll always cherish my time in the NRL.

"I've got a short list of goals for rugby now. I want to build some combinations with Christian [Lealiifano] ... potentially start next to him and then firstly just play an entire season.

"I had a couple of injuries and setbacks. To go to the Brumbies injury free is a goal and I've got aspirations to kick on, but I've got to lay the foundation first and get through a season of Super Rugby before I focus on anything like that."

The Brumbies have filled all of their back-line contracts for next year, but are still searching for two props.

Former Queensland Reds skipper James Slipper is still on the radar, but it's believed the Melbourne Rebels are keen to swoop on the front-rower after he was banned for testing positive to cocaine.

Wright is just keen to take his opportunity and hopes to settle in quickly to add to a back line which already boasts Lealiifano, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Toni Pulu and Tom Banks.

"The Brumbies want to play an expansive style of footy and I think that suits my game. When the chance came to play at Super Rugby, I've always kept an eye on that even when I was at Manly," Wright said.

"I couldn't just let the opportunity go. I want to take it and I'm just going to be there to make the most of it."

NRC ROUND THREE

Sunday: Canberra Vikings v Western Force at Viking Park, 3pm. Entry is free.

Vikings: 1. Sione Taula, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Darcy Swain, 6. BJ Edwards, 7. Michael Oakman-Hunt, 8. Ben Hyne, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Lausii Taliauli, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Vunipola Fifita, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Rob Valetini, 20. Brodie Leber, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Irae Simone, 23. Mack Hansen.

Force: 1. Harry Lloyd, 2. Harry Scoble, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Jeremy Thrush, 6. Tevin Ferris, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Andrew Deegan, 11. Rod Davies, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Marcel Brache, 14. Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 15. Jack McGregor. Reserves: Heath Tessmann, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Chris Heiberg, 19. Leon Power, 20. Harrison Orr, 21. Issak Fines, 22. Rodney Iona, 23. Peter Grant.