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Australian Rugby Union bosses have met Robbie Deans amid claims their New Zealand counterparts are trying to complicate his path to the Wallabies' coaching job.
Deans met ARU chief executive John O'Neill and high performance chief Pat Howard for an informal "chat over coffee" in Paris.
But a
guarded O'Neill was giving nothing away about Deans' intentions.
"It was a further opportunity to get to know each other and we spoke about a range of subjects. There were no specifics around coaching positions," O'Neill told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.
The former All Blacks fullback and coach of the powerhouse Crusaders franchise, in Paris to watch the World Cup final, has long been labelled the favourite for the vacant Wallabies' job.
But Deans is also the No 1 contender for the All Blacks job if the New Zealand Rugby Union conduct a cleanout of coaching staff in the wake of the World Cup exit.
The ARU shortlist reportedly contains six names and O'Neill said candidates would be interviewed in Sydney on November 9 with a view to making an appointment within the following week.
The NZRU meanwhile is in less of a hurry, with chairman Jock Hobbs saying earlier this month a new coach would be in place by Christmas.
O'Neill was suspicious of the NZRU's lack of urgency to confirm its All Blacks coaching staff.
"I know the Kiwis are extending their process through to Christmas and that may well be a ploy to make life difficult for us," O'Neill told The Australian this week.
"A lot of balls are in the air right now and it's a bit problematical with Robbie. But it's all in the game. I'd do the same thing myself.
"But Robbie will know his own backyard and he'll know the likelihood of him getting the All Blacks job. One thing is certain, we can't wait until Christmas."
O'Neill has previously said Deans would be able to fulfil his contract to coach the Crusaders in next year's Super 14 then take over the Wallabies if he was appointed.
The All Blacks' coaching role remains cloudy, with incumbent Graham Henry refusing to comment on his future. His assistants, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, have also been silent.
A complication for Deans, and an encouragement for the ARU, is his reportedly strained relationship with incoming NZRU chief executive Steve Tew; although Tew's job is also under scrutiny in the World Cup fallout.
O'Neill said the ARU would hold informal meetings with other coaching candidates to discuss their plans in coming days.
Blues coach David Nucifora is likely to be the leading contender if Deans decides not to stand.
The other four in the race are Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie, Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher and Wallabies assistant coaches Scott Johnson and John Muggleton.
- NZPA
