Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says the ARU will put forward the best possible package to keep David Pocock in Australian rugby, as "loaded" clubs table monster offers in a bid to poach him. 
The Wallabies flanker is weighing up his future and English club Wasps have entered the bidding with an audacious offer to make Pocock the highest-paid player in world rugby.
The $2.8 million is more than half the Super Rugby salary cap for Australian teams and would trump any offer from his Australian team, the Brumbies. It is understood ARU and Brumbies officials are working on a combined contract to get as close as possible to deals available overseas.
Ultimately, that might not matter for Pocock, who is considering a 12-month sabbatical to study before returning to Australia in 2018 and 2019.
It is hoped he will make a decision before the Brumbies begin their season in nine days, and Cheika said Pocock's up-front approach to negotiation had helped fast-track the process.
"I've been really happy. Brian Levine, his manager, and David have been straight with us from day one. That's given us a really nice, simple target to try to achieve," Cheika said at the Super Rugby launch on Wednesday.
"We'll put our best package forward to try to have him play rugby here. He's obviously going to get massive offers overseas because clubs are loaded and he's one of the best players in the world. Put two and two together and you're going to get that result.
"I think because they've given us a really clear indication of what he wants to try to do, it's given us the opportunity to present as good a package as we can. He's a smart guy, he'll make the right choice."
The huge offer from Wasps would mean Pocock eclipsing New Zealand World Cup winner Dan Carter as the world's highest-paid player. Carter beat Pocock for player of the tournament honours at the World Cup last year.
Wasps have just snared the signature of former Melbourne Rebels playmaker Danny Cipriani, while veteran Wallabies flanker George Smith is set to leave the club to move to Japan. It has been suggested Pocock could be a temporary replacement for Smith.
The Brumbies are giving Pocock time to make his decision with the start of the Super Rugby season looming. The Brumbies begin their campaign against the Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on   February 26.