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CARDIFF - Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and ex-South African handler Nick Mallett have both ruled themselves out of the running for the vacant post of Wales coach.
Jones, who is working as a technical adviser to South Africa coach Jake White at the World Cup, told the Guardian newspaper that he is committed to working as a consultant at English club Saracens next season, although he did say he would like to coach at international level again at some stage in the future.
``I have not given the Wales position any thought,' said Jones who took Australia to the 2003 World Cup final.
``I have always said that I want to return to international coaching one day, but it has to be the right job at the right time. I am committed to joining Saracens after the World Cup.'
Mallett had been regarded as a leading candidate to replace Gareth Jenkins who was sacked after the team's shock exit from the World Cup.
However, he is poised to succeed Pierre Berbizier as coach of Italy.
``I have gone quite far down the road in my negotiations with Italy,' Mallett told the Western Mail newspaper.
``There will probably be an announcement on that front after the World Cup. There are just one or two things to be sorted out, but that is my preferred choice.'
Asked whether there was any way he would change his mind if Wales came knocking, Mallett said: ``I don't think so.
``It wouldn't be fair on the Italian Federation. Having basically agreed on 90 per cent of the issues, it would be wrong for me to turn round and renege on that. I am too far down the road.'
With Mallett and Jones out of contention, and former Wales coach Mike Ruddock staying at Worcester, many in the Welsh game believe that Crusaders coach Robbie Deans will be the man to take over.
Deans played in the New Zealand team of the mid-1980s and was assistant to John Mitchell with the All Blacks from 2001 and 2003.
With the Crusaders, he has won four Super 12/14 titles.
- AFP
