KEY POINTS:
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith says English club Northampton want him to rejoin them.
The Saints want to appoint a director of rugby after being relegated this season.
But Smith told the BBC he won't make a decision until after the World Cup in October.
"Chairman Keith Barwell is a good friend and I've told him my time to make a decision is after the World Cup," Smith said.
"Decisions about my coaching future will wait until after the tournament.
"I'd love to stay with the All Blacks if possible, but like a lot of professional coaches I get contacted about overseas positions.
"I am passionate about Northampton, enjoyed my time there immensely but I am very much focusing on this year with the All Blacks. The future will look after itself."
Former All Blacks coach Smith arrived at Northampton in December 2001 with the club second from bottom of the premiership. He guided the Saints to fifth place that season and followed that up with two third-place finishes and two Powergen Cup finals before leaving for New Zealand in 2004.
Paul Grayson was in charge last season but was demoted from the role of head coach following the club's relegation, and is now their backs and skills coach.
Former Auckland coach and All Blacks selector Peter Sloane has stepped up from assistant coach to take his place.
Barwell said the club wanted a "world-class coach", and that a shortlist of candidates was being compiled.
"We have had some extremely positive conversations with several world-class coaches," he said.
Former All Black Bruce Reihana captained the club this year and another two former All Blacks, Carlos Spencer and Mark Robinson, also play for the club.
- NZPA
