ACT Brumbies veteran Andrew Smith is confident the club will be able to keep the bulk of its squad together despite a looming coaching change and Super Rugby uncertainty delaying the contract process.
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Smith, 32, is keen to extend his career beyond the end of the season but negotiations are on hold as SANZAAR considers axing three teams from Super Rugby.
The ARU has asked all Australian teams to postpone contract talks with non-Wallabies players until there is clarity on the Super Rugby structure.
Smith is unfazed by the stalled contract activity despite leaving the versatile back in limbo.
The Brumbies have almost 20 players off contract at the end of the year, including Wallabies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani.
The club hopes to appoint a successor to coach Stephen Larkham in the coming weeks, but Brumbies officials could delay an announcement until after Super Rugby's future is clear.
Smith, who returned to Canberra this year after a two-year stint in Europe, said he wants to keep playing in the capital as he continues his fight for game time.
"It depends how the year goes, at the moment I'd like to stick around," Smith said.
"I really like the organisation here and where it's heading. For me it's a bit of year by year, you can't predict it so I've just got to wait to see how it plays out."
"There is always that uncertainty and no one is really too sure what's going on [in Super Rugby], but we're just hoping a decision comes soon because there's nothing we can do about it.
"You can't worry about [who the coach will be], it's always been a great environment at the Brumbies and I'm sure that won't change going forward.
"It's a tight-knit group and a really good culture at the Brumbies so I'm sure whoever comes in, it will be the same. It's an exciting time here with all of these young guys coming through."
The Brumbies play the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night as they aim to keep their surprise lead at the top of the Australian conference.
The Brumbies have won their past nine Australian derbies in a row and Smith has been patiently biding his time behind Kuridrani.
Smith has been on the Brumbies' bench for four of the five games this season, but has only been on the field for 11 minutes.
Larkham has employed a forward pack rotation policy to keep players on their toes, but powerful Fijian Kuridrani has been a rock in the Brumbies' back line.
"You've always got to be ready to play and be ready and training," Smith said.
"I've got to keep chipping away and keep pushing the guys in the starting XV. We're taking it week by week, we're not getting too far ahead of ourselves or trying to predict what will happen."
It was hoped there would be a decision on Super Rugby's future this week, however that appears unlikely after the South African Rugby Union said it would not discuss cutting teams at a meeting this week.
There was speculation Western Force coach Dave Wessels was in contention to replace Larkham at the end of the year, but the former Brumbies defence consultant rejected rumours he could move back to Canberra.
The Force appear to be the Australian team in the most danger of being axed from the competition if it is reduced from 18 to 15 teams.
But former Force flanker Chris Alcock, who is now at the Brumbies, urged Australian rugby to back its five teams.
"I just want five Australian teams, we don't know much more. That's just my personal opinion," Alcock said.
"I think it would be taking a step backwards if we don't have five [Australian teams]. Rugby is growing [in Perth] so a lot of people will be very upset if a team is cut."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND SEVEN
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. Tickets available for $20 if purchased before 6pm. Curtain-raiser: Brumbies legends v Reds Barbarians at 6pm.
