Deans switches focus to All Blacks

LONDON, England -- The Australian Rugby Union has confirmed that Robbie Deans has withdrawn from the race to become the new Wallabies coach.

The New Zealander, a four-time Super title winner with the Canterbury Crusaders, is now hoping to be appointed as the next coach of the All Blacks as the replacement for Graham Henry.

Henry is unlikely to have his contract renewed following his side's quarterfinal exit at the recent World Cup in France.

Former All Blacks full-back Deans had been one of the front-runners for the Australia job, with candidate interviews scheduled for November 9.

But he said: "I am available, interested and keen to coach the All Blacks."

The New Zealand Rugby Union is expected to make its appointment in December.

And ARU high-performance manager Pat Howard confirmed that Deans had informed him of his plans.

"He made us aware of exactly what he was going to say today, so he's been fantastic in this process, he's been really up-front and we wish him all the best in that All Black bid," Howard said.

"It was always on the cards. I guess from the ARU's perspective there is a timing issue for Robbie in terms of when the All Black coaching job is there and the Australian coaching job."

The ARU is expected to announce the successor to John Connolly by the end of next month.

Auckland Blues coach David Nucifora is now the favorite to take over from Connolly, with other applicants including ACT Brumbies boss Laurie Fisher, NSW Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie and Wallabies assistants Scott Johnson and John Muggleton.

Howard said South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White had yet to lodge an application for the job, despite an enquiry from his manager last week.

White, whose contract expires at the end of this year, decided not to reapply for his job with the Springboks.

He was initially given a deadline of October 19 to do so - the day before the final against England.

The 43-year-old revealed the day after the 15-6 victory in Paris that he would not be seeking to renew his tenure.

And he confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that his last match in charge will be against the Barbarians at Twickenham in England on December 1.

White will also lead South Africa in a one-off Test against Wales in Cardiff on November 24. E-mail to a friend