Henry Speight is hopeful of signing a new contract with the ACT Brumbies and Wallabies before the start of the Super Rugby season.
Winger Speight held talks with French Top 14 club Bordeaux after Australia’s end-of-season tour and admits he is tempted by a move to Europe.
But the 29-year-old’s heart is in Canberra and his preference is for an extension of his current deal, which runs out at the end of this year.
“The primary reason is I love being part of the Brumbies, being in Canberra,” Speight said on Tuesday.
“I love Canberra as a place to live and leaving it would be a very tough decision, so that’s something that’s weighing a lot on my mind and hopefully we can sort something out in the coming days or weeks.
“I’d be happy to wrap that up before the season starts … so there’s no interruptions for prepping for the 2018 season.”
A second World Cup appearance in Japan next year is the “ultimate goal” for Speight, but he said the pull of a completely different lifestyle in Europe was strong.
“There’s a lot of Fijian boys (over there),” he said.
“It’s always a massive lure to go over and experience something different.
“Once you’re in France or the UK, everywhere in Europe is within travelling distance.
“There’s a lot of plusses to that but also a lot of things to weigh up before you make a decision.
“Canberra’s home for me and the priority for me is to stay.”