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Waikato rugby coach Warren Gatland has all but confirmed he is poised to take charge of Wales.
Wales have been shopping for a coach since Gareth Jenkins fell on his sword after his team failed to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup in France.
Gatland told Radio
Sport from Wales this morning that there were some areas still to be sorted out with Welsh rugby.
An announcement from the Wales Rugby Union has been tipped to be made by Friday but Gatland, who recently relinquished his role as assistant coach of Super 14 franchise the Chiefs, said: "I can't say that (an announcement will be in next 48 hours) ... something could happen reasonably quickly.
"All I can say is that there are still things to work through for both parties - I don't have a work permit, a UK passport and am still contracted to Waikato."
Gatland who returned to New Zealand in 2005 after playing and coaching stints in Europe also hinted that frustration at not breaking through to coaching at a higher level in New Zealand was behind his move back to Europe.
"I was hoping to have an opportunity to be in charge of a Super 14 side but that hasn't been available to me since I have been back in New Zealand so you just got to look at all the chances and opportunities in front of you."
When Greg Cooper left the Highlanders to assist David Nucifora at the Blues, Gatland said he had not thought about the job but had been approached about going south and the post had been advertised.
Coaching the All Blacks was something he would love to do in the future but he did not think he was in line to succeed Graham Henry at this time.
" They (the New Zealand Rugby Union) haven't been through that review process and I presume they have a number of people in line ahead of me."
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans is the reputed frontrunner to succeed Henry and Gatland said he had no contact with him.
Even if Deans offered him a position as forwards coach, Gatland said: "It'll probably be too late by then."
He said he had kept NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew up to date with his talks with Wales.
" He is well aware of where I am at this stage."
Gatland has coached Ireland successfully and lifted the Heineken Cup with London Wasps.
If Gatland is appointed he will be the third Kiwi coach in less than 10 years to coach Wales and follow in the footsteps of Henry and Steve Hansen.
- NZPA
