KEY POINTS:
PERTH - If Blues coach David Nucifora knows he's in the running to take over the Wallabies, then he isn't saying.
Nucifora is in Perth this week, attempting to stem an alarming slump that has seen his side slide from the top of the ladder to possibly dipping out on the semifinals.
But while the equation for the Blues is simple -- snap their three-game losing streak by beating the Western Force in Perth on Friday or risk dropping from the playoffs -- the prospect of Nucifora returning home to coach Australia after the World Cup is apparently much less clear cut.
"I really still haven't decided what I will be doing, I come off contract but I am certainly talking with the Blues to go forward," Nucifora said.
"We will make some decisions over the coming weeks. There is no real certainty (in the Wallabies) -- I think they have only just sorted out their own predicament as to who is running the show.
"So I am sure that will take quite a few months, and they have got a World Cup to try and win so there's lots of things that will come up before any of that is discussed.
"I have got no idea (if I am in the running)."
But with a dearth of top-draw Australian coaches and Friday's opponent John Mitchell already ruling himself out of the running for the top job, it is thought Nucifora will be well in the mix.
Nucifora took the Brumbies to the Super 12 final in 2002, semifinals in 2003 and then snared the title in 2004.
Another finals appearance with the Blues this year would cement his reputation.
But those prospects have declined in the last three weeks, with three successive defeats against South African teams.
But Nucifora said despite the jump between time zones, his players were still crystal clear on what was needed in this final round.
"There is a lot to play for so there is no trouble about getting up," Nucifora said.
"The intensity in the last few weeks has been right up there, so we are well versed and well ready.
"Last week in Pretoria, even though the scoreboard does not suggest it, we played pretty well.
"It is about your preparation and your physical recovery, so if you don't know how to play by this time of year then you never will."
And Nucifora has warned the Force they face a step up in class from last week's demolition of the Cheetahs.
"We are certainly happy if the game opens up, our guys can deal with that," Nucifora said.
"The Cheetahs game opened itself right up, and that was against an opposition that didn't have a lot to play for -- we have certainly got a heck of a lot to play for.
"So it might be a little bit tighter and a little bit more intense than last week as far as the Force is concerned."
- AAP
