The ACT Brumbies want to give Jake White a Super Rugby headstart and hope his impressive coaching credentials will aid their attempts to book a post-season overseas tour this year.
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Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan is negotiating with clubs in Japan and Europe about the possibility of White leading the ACT side for the first time abroad in either July or August.
White who will be the Brumbies' new coach at the end of the season is expected to move to Canberra in July.
The South African signed a four-year deal to be in the capital.
And the Brumbies believe taking the club's non-Wallabies players on what is likely to be a three-game tour would accelerate White's impact on the squad.
"It would be two or three games if we can get a suitable time," Fagan said.
"It would be a good opportunity for Jake to get to know the players and stamp his authority on the team before the Super Rugby season next year.
"At this stage we're looking at Japan and Europe, but it has to be a suitable opportunity in a time frame that works for both the players and coaches.
"It would be a great way to get a headstart on things and start under the new coach."
The Brumbies have been on an overseas tour before to try and develop their game.
Sacked coach Andy Friend took the team to France at the end of the 2009 Super Rugby season.
Despite not being a head coach since guiding South Africa to victory at the World Cup in 2007, White has strong connections in Japan, France and England.
In his time away from full-time coaching, White has worked as a consultant at some of the world's leading clubs.
Fagan said the Brumbies would use White's contacts to try and book the trip.
While the Brumbies are playing two games in South Africa starting tomorrow morning against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein White is unable to catch up with the players in his homeland.
He will instead travel to Canberra twice before the season ends to meet the players and coaching staff.
His first visit to Canberra Stadium will be for the Brumbies' match against the Johannesburg Lions on May 14.
The addition of White as a coach will make the Brumbies an extremely attractive franchise.
He has won a World Cup, a Tri Nations series and is a two-time winner of the international coach of the year award.
White has already spoken with James O'Connor about moving to Canberra next season and is hoping to lure him away from the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force.
Fagan described White as "one of the best credentialled coaches in Brumbies history".
And while fans had voiced their displeasure at the way Friend was sacked after just two games this year, White credited Fagan with his increased excitement in joining the Brumbies.
"You have to work very closely with management and you have to be sure that you are all working towards the same goal," White said.
"We [White and Fagan] share the same vision, we both want to take the Brumbies to the same place and get that attacking aura back in the team.
"I was very impressed with the way everything was handled and how things are being run."
Canberra Times
