The former Prime television chief executive has made re-signing the Brumbies' star-studded line-up one of his top priorities, despite admitting he doesn't know how long he will be in the job.

The Brumbies lost their round-one match to the Queensland Reds 27-17 on Saturday night in a tough start to their Super Rugby campaign.

Off the field, chairman Sean Hammond revealed the Brumbies had recruited Edwards to lead the club until the board could find a permanent successor to Andrew Fagan.

Edwards, who has been on the Brumbies' board for 10 years, insisted his appointment would not be long-term.

The Brumbies have six Wallabies off contract at the end of this season, but negotiations have been limited without a club chief executive.

Fagan quit the last year of his contract and finished his tenure in December. For the past two months, the Brumbies have been operating without a chief executive.

Edwards' appointment gives the club some short-term stability as coach Stephen Larkham and director of rugby Laurie Fisher turn their attention to on-field performances.

''Signings are a priority. [The coaches] are pretty experienced and know the direction they want to go,'' Edwards said.

''I'll just be a bit of a rudder to help them along, and we're keen to get that all started.

''I'm flexible, it can be one month or six months for me - I'll do what I can to help.''

Brumbies and Wallabies great Larkham made his coaching debut with the 10-point loss to the Reds.

He is already focused on making amends in the Brumbies' round-two clash against the Western Force in Perth.

Larkham said having an interim chief executive would help give the Brumbies' back office direction.

''We can move forward as a club now,'' he said.

''The players have got other things to think about than contracts, that's getting our season up and running.

''It's a standard process for Super Rugby clubs to talk about their squads at this time of year, but the only thing we're focused on is the season.''

The Brumbies' search for a permanent chief executive has been hindered by the Australian Rugby Union's proposed new structure for Super Rugby franchises.

The ARU board will meet on Monday to discuss a proposed merger of operations between Australian teams.

It is understood the NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels have indicated their interest in being part of a ''Rugby Australia'' structure. But the Brumbies are keen to be run independently.

The role of a chief executive in the new structure would dramatically change, effectively transforming into a team general manager, with the ARU controlling sponsorship and funds.

The Brumbies board will also meet this week to discuss the chief executive situation and the ARU's structure.

''Doug understands the organisation, our strengths and our challenges,'' Hammond said. ''We need to work through this next month and we'll have more clarity.

''We don't know what the Rugby Australia structure holds; we may make a [chief executive decision] and get on with it, but the future could be uncertain.''

Just 13,670 fans watched the Brumbies' round-one match and Edwards said he wanted to revive tribalism with Super Rugby supporters.

''I'll be a sounding board … we'll look at community rugby and sponsorship as well,'' he said.

''Membership is a big thing … in 2001 everyone was alive with the Brumbies. A winning team brings that, so hopefully we can get that back.''