McKellar emerged as a leading candidate to join Dave Rennie's staff as the new forwards coach after being approached by Rugby Australia about the role.

There has been no formal offer and talks are yet to progress beyond initial interest, but McKellar has already declared his commitment to Super Rugby in Canberra.

Rugby Australia is using this year as a chance to reset after a disastrous period for the game.

They have started the broadcast deal negotiation process and Cameron Clyne's departure as chairman is set to trigger boardroom change at the annual general meeting at the end of March.

Brumbies and Wallabies legend Joe Roff has emerged as an option to fill one vacant position, potentially as a players' representative.

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Roff has previously held a similar position on the Brumbies' board and is highly regarded as an administrator to go with his glittering playing career.

He could be going head-to-head with some of his former Test teammates for the role, with Daniel Herbert and Richard Harry also emerging as candidates.

McKellar is in his third season as the Brumbies' head coach and is committed to the club until at least the end of 2021.

He led the Brumbies back to the Super Rugby finals last season and is regarded as the coach to break their title drought.

Brumbies prop Scott Sio, a 59-cap Wallaby, has backed McKellar as a potential candidate to join the Australian coaching staff but says his focus is on Canberra for now.

"Dan is such a great coach, it's easy to see why they'd ask him but his focus, as it always has been, is for the Brumbies and making sure this team is successful," Sio said.

"It gives us a lot of reassurance as a playing group having Dan here and his full commitment.

"He's really hitting his straps as a coach and his ability to adjust to things is unrivalled at the moment. The team has been through a lot and with Dan leading the helm, he's given us a lot of confidence heading into each week.

"I have no doubt he has aspirations, as every coach does, to one day have that job. But it's up to him, I''m sure Dan is more than capable to do that whenever he decides.

"As professional sport always is, we just have to focus on here and now, which is the Sunwolves on Friday afternoon."

The Brumbies have won three of their first four games and will look to extend their lead at the top of the Australian conference when they meet the Japanese outfit in Wollongong on Friday.

Conversely, the Sunwolves have won just one game so far this year and will be looking to turn their season around after conceding 126 points in the past two games.

SUPER RUGBY - ROUND 6

Friday: Japan Sunwolves v ACT Brumbies, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 2.45pm.