Robbie Deans could earn almost three times more than any other candidate if he is unsuccessful in his bid to coach the All Blacks and instead lands the Wallabies job.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Rugby Union manager of high performance, Pat Howard, rejected reports that Deans had been offered a seven-figure annual salary to accept the position. Rather, it was more likely he would earn a fair share more than the $300,000-$350,000 offered to Australian candidates.

"Nothing has been offered in a contract," Howard said. "But there is no question we have spoken to him in the past."

The ARU board will meet on December 14 to discuss the recommendations from the Wallabies coaching job panel. If the successful candidate is a Super 14 coach, such as Deans at the Crusaders or David Nucifora at the Blues, Howard said the panel would support him to fulfill any provincial commitments.

"We are quite willing to do that," he said. "If anything, you want people coaching. I don't see it is as a negative.