ARU chairman Peter McGrath – emphasising the organisation is committed to finding “the best person for the job” – has requested that the existing selection panel, providing they consider Deans suitable for inclusion in the process, now interviews him before submitting its final report to the ARU Board on Thursday.

The panel has agreed to interview Deans later this week.

“This in no way derails or affects the timing of the process already underway,” said McGrath.

“If late in the day a coach with a record worth considering comes forward, then we should avail ourselves of the opportunity to interview him and include him in the process along with the other candidates.

“The direction from the Board to the selection panel was to find the best person and the ARU remains committed to that position.

“The Australian rugby public would demand, and should expect, nothing less from us.

“As a result, it is incumbent on the selection panel to interview any interested person that might be considered a genuine candidate for the position as Wallabies coach.”

McGrath said ARU policy was in no way compromised by offering Deans, a New Zealander, an interview.

“The policy that stated only an Australian could coach the Wallabies was changed well before we went to the market to find a coach for next year,” he said.

“It was changed because the ARU Board agreed our aim for the future had to be: always find the best person.

“Effectively, that is the brief the Board has passed down to the selection panel.”

The panel assembled to conduct the interview process has to date met with five Wallaby coaching candidates – Laurie Fisher, Alan Jones, Ewen McKenzie, John Muggleton and David Nucifora.

A comprehensive report from the panel will be submitted to the Board for its consideration on Thursday.