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Leading New Zealand coach Warren Gatland has been deep in talks with rugby chiefs about becoming the new Wales coach, reports said today.
Former Wasps and current Waikato coach Gatland met with Wales Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Roger Lewis and chairman David Pickering at Cardiff hotel, The Wales On Sunday newspaper said.
An eyewitness to the meeting said: "They were deep in conversation but didn't seem to mind that they could be seen. They were sat right next to the window and chatting like they were old friends.
"Roger Lewis and Gatland were the two who appeared to be really hitting it off. It seemed quite informal - they were all in casual clothes and when they left Lewis and Gatland were still talking away as they walked out."
The latest development makes the New Zealander a front-runner to succeed Gareth Jenkins, who fell on his sword after Wales failed to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup in France.
The New Zealander is reported to be on a three-man shortlist for the job and an announcement is expected to be made before the end of the month.
Jake White, South Africa's World Cup-winning coach, and Crusaders mentor Robbie Deans, who recently announced his desire to coach the All Blacks, are understood to be the others on the list.
Both men have distanced themselves from the Wales job publicly this week but are still in the frame for the job.
Lewis declined to comment on whether Gatland was now the WRU's top target.
"We have talked to people this week," Lewis said.
"We now have a shortlist of three candidates for the role."
Gatland recently relinquished his role as assistant coach of Super 14 franchise the Chiefs.
The former Ireland coach, who lifted the Heineken Cup with London Wasps, is being viewed as the perfect fit for Wales' new era.
If Gatland is appointed he will be the third Kiwi coach in less then 10 years to coach Wales and follows in the footsteps of Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.
He is understood already to have spoken to New Zealander Andrew Hore, the favourite to fill the WRU's elite performance director role.
Hore's position has reportedly been complicated by a late bid by his current employers the New Zealand Rugby Union to keep him at home.
- NZPA
