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Crusaders rugby coach Robbie Deans says he will cross the Tasman this week in search of the Wallabies job as soon as he has sorted out his flights.
Deans confirmed he would be interviewed by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) for the Wallabies job, most likely on Thursday or Friday.
If Deans wins the job, as he seems certain to do, it could cause a major headache for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).
Deans wants to complete his term with Super 14 side the Crusaders next year, but is unsure whether the NZRU will allow him to do so.
He said he had not spoken to the NZRU about maintaining his Crusaders' job for one more season.
"But that obviously will be on their tail at the moment. They'll be forming a stance for me," he told Radio Sport today.
"I am committed to performing my obligations to the Crusaders - that's my way. I am contracted to them and I would like to see that out.
"The Crusaders board is fully supportive of that. I feel like I've given good service and not just locally (Canterbury) but to the game in New Zealand."
ARU officials have been an unabashed admirer of Deans and their stance of appointing the best man for the job, whether he is an Australian or not, is dividing Australian rugby.
The NZRU board will meet on Wednesday to discuss the position of Deans and Blues coach David Nucifora in case either man is named to lead the Australian national team.
"We all would like Robbie to have another season in charge of the team which he helped to build, but there are other issues to consider," NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew told The Press.
"We have a slightly unusual situation for one international team to be coached by the coach of players who you will be playing in couple of weeks time.
"So we have a very unusual set of circumstances, we will carefully consider."
Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said there was a "compelling case" for Deans to finish the 2008 Super 14 season in Christchurch "not in the least because of his outstanding service".
"The Crusaders board is absolutely behind him doing the 2008 campaign, regardless of what international job he would get. We have made that view known strongly to the NZRU."
Henry fought back to regain his job last week after the All Blacks were eliminated in the World Cup quarterfinals - their worst finish in the tournament.
Deans said he made up his mind about chasing the Australian job only yesterday.
He said he made it clear to the ARU that his priority had been the All Blacks coach's job.
"I was disappointed to come second. I'm also realist. You go into these things (interviews) with your eyes wide open," Deans said of missing the All Blacks job.
"That's one disappointing aspect I guess - that it has created a fair amount of division and some of that division probably wasn't necessary, particularly if it was done (appointment of coach) a little bit quicker."
While Henry's appointment has caused one of the biggest splits in the sport in the country, Deans said he was confident New Zealand rugby would recover.
"It is not about Graham Henry and I, it's about the game and New Zealand rugby and New Zealand rugby will be around for a lot longer than he or I will. The key thing is the game and the game itself has probably suffered as well.
"But it will recover because there are good people in the game and people who care about the game will push on and help it to recover."
If successful, Deans will lock horns with Henry on the international stage for the first time in Sydney on July 26 when Australia host the All Blacks in a Tri-Nations test.
- NZPA
