Lealiifano to decide Brumbies future soon

Brumbies co-captain Christian Lealiifano will make a decision about his Super Rugby future during the next month.

The former Wallabies playmaker is yet to confirm if he will continue with the ACT-based team after playing in the nation’s capital since making his debut in 2008.

Lealiifano, 30, has signed to play in Japan for Toyota Jido Shokki once the Brumbies’ season comes to an end, which is likely to be as soon as Saturday night.

If the Brumbies don’t upset NSW or other results don’t go their way, they will miss the finals for the first time since 2012.

But Lealiifano did back up coach Dan McKellar’s thoughts about his future at the club.

“He (McKellar seems pretty confident (I’ll stay) and so am I, so we’ll keep going as we are and fine tune a few things,” Lealiifano said on Friday.

“I’ve never actually thought about when I’ll play my last game and I’ll let everyone know if it is; and at this stage it isn’t.

“I’m hopeful of getting it done before I go to Japan, just so I know what I’m doing and it’s not a distraction for me over there.”

Lealiifano missed the 2017 regular season recovering from a battle with leukaemia but made an inspirational comeback for the Brumbies’ quarter-final loss.

He then immediately headed to Ireland to play for Ulster in the PRO 14 competition, meaning he will play his third back-to-back season when he arrives in Japan.

Next year’s World Cup and a push for a Wallabies recall will play into Lealiifano’s decision.

“A World Cup year has probably been the biggest drawcard and to see if I can sign back in Australia and have a crack at that,” Lealiifano said in June.

“It’s definitely something I’ve been having a chat to my family about.”