George Smith puts reputation on the line with Brumbies return Daily Telegraph reporter Iain Payten says the Wallabies camp ahead of the Lions tour is a bad idea. RETURN: George Smith is back for the Brumbies. HE is widely regarded as a Wallaby great but Brumbies recruit George Smith feels like he's putting his legacy in Australian rugby "all on the line" by returning to Super Rugby. Smith revealed his inner drive yesterday as he conceded playing for the Wallabies again was "enticing" but not an immediate focus, and Brumbies coach Jake White indicated the 32-year-old could start as soon as next weekend against the Waratahs. Smith trained for the first time in Canberra yesterday after this week signing an injury-cover contract with the province he farewelled in 2010. Smith is on loan for three months from Japanese club Suntory, where he has dominated for the past two seasons in form described by Eddie Jones as "absolutely outstanding." The 110-Test forward, who won the award for Brumbies players' player nine times in 11 seasons, said when approached to come back to Australia, he'd contemplated whether he should risk tarnishing his reputation. "That went through my mind when I was thinking about coming back," he said. I did leave a good legacy that I was very proud of in Australian rugby and ACT, and I think like I am putting it all on the line. For myself, I definitely don't want to come back and be a passenger here. I think I will rise to that challenge. Smith said his motivation to return was to "test himself" in Super Rugby but many have questioned why he felt the need, given he achieved everything to achieve in the game. But Jones, who Smith regards as a "mentor," revealed to The Daily Telegraph this week that the flanker felt like he had unfinished business in Canberra after leaving the Brumbies disappointed with his form. "Probably towards the end of his time at the Brumbies he didn't play as well as he would have liked, and I think he sees this as an opportunity to go back and play well and finish well," Jones said. Smith said he was happy to play anywhere in the back-row, and White said the capacity to either play the veteran and David Pocock together - or rotate them - was a huge bonus for the Brumbies, and Australian rugby.Asked if he felt it would be too soon to field Smith against NSW next Saturday in Canberra, White said: "Nah, I have been thinking about George playing against the Waratahs since the day he said he'd be available to play. We want to make sure we beat the Waratahs and if it means George is part of that, and if it's in the starting line-up, and that's going to get a result, we'll do it. There is strong buzz around the potential for Smith to play for the Wallabies against the Lions. It would require an agreement with the ARU, the Brumbies and Suntory to extend the contract, but Jones indicated this week that the Japanese club would agree. Smith said he was keeping a narrower focus, however, out of respect. I am not going to lie, it is enticing. But I think it is premature to be thinking about that. I have to perform for the Brumbies team first," he said. Out of respect for the Brumbies and also the Suntory team, my focus is on the Brumbies. I have been released to play for the Brumbies. Smith also indicated that he would "love" to be a part of any potential Brumbies finals campaign in July - which would also require a contract extension - but was reluctant to cast forward too much.