Just like anxious Brumbies fans, Matt Giteau hopes to have a better idea about Adam Ashley-Cooper's chances of remaining in Canberra after Saturday night's Super Rugby derby with the NSW Waratahs.

"If he throws an intercept, we know where he's going," Giteau joked on Friday as speculation mounts that his Brumbies and Wallabies teammate will link with the Waratahs in 2012.

Ashley-Cooper's partner lives in Sydney, which makes the Brumbies skipper hopeful rather than confident that the classy utility back will stay on in the national capital for an eighth straight season.

But Giteau has no plans to stick his nose in the 26-year-old's business.

"As far as negotiations and contracts, that's the biggest way to fall out, I think, with a friendship," he said.

"So he's got his own decisions to make for his own personal reasons.

"If he does want to talk, I'm happy to talk. But with those contracts and things like that, you leave it to the actual player.

"And he keeps things close to him."

Giteau five years ago experienced a similar dilemma to that facing Ashley-Cooper when he had to decide whether or not to leave the Brumbies to join the Western Force.

He eventually made the big-money move to Perth for three years, but said it was an agonising decision to make while surrounded by his Brumbies teammates.

"It would have been easier to make the decision once you're in the Wallaby fold because you're around all different players from all different provinces," Giteau said.

"So I think at the moment it does make it tough (on Ashley-Cooper) ... so that might put a bit more pressure on him (to stay).

"At the time (of my decision), I would have liked to have stayed at the Brumbies for my whole career.

"Because I've come through the juniors here - a Queanbeyan boy - I was obviously very proud of this region and this area.

"But I really enjoyed my time at the Force. It freshened me up.

"Having said that, the Brumbies is a pretty special place and Coops has been here his whole career.

"So something needs to be said for that loyalty as well."

Giteau said he'd support any decision Ashley-Cooper makes and insisted the ongoing speculation about his future wouldn't prove a distraction against the Waratahs.

"He's been training well. He doesn't seem any different. I'm expecting a big game from him this week, especially at fullback," Giteau said.

"Whichever way he's going, I'm sure Coops is going to focused on the game. Once you're playing football, you're not thinking about any other distractions."

He also defended Ashley-Cooper's form after an unspectacular start to the season from the attacking ace.

"If you're looking at the game, you see his involvements are a lot higher than usual," Giteau said.

"He hasn't been doing the spectacular things probably because he's been working hard for the group."

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