THE next Wallabies coach could arrive in rugby fans' Christmas stockings, following a timetable laid down by the New Zealand Rugby Union to announce the All Blacks coach.

On December 20, the NZRU will decide between incumbent Graham Henry and challenger Robbie Deans, the latter ARU chief executive John O'Neill's preferred choice as Wallabies coach.

Although O'Neill is in hospital after a neck operation which stalls any decision, the Kiwis are aware of his fascination with Deans, the successful Crusaders coach.

The NZRU has not forgiven O'Neill for scuttling New Zealand as co-host of the 2003 World Cup, which was played in Australia. Any tactic to embarrass O'Neill over the Wallabies job, drawing out the selection process from November 9 when the candidates were interviewed to near Christmas when Deans might become available, promotes vengeful delight in the Shaky Isles.

Of course, Australia could know the score earlier because the NZRU has set November 26 as the closing date for nominations.

Should Henry feel smitten at not being reappointed and choose not to reapply, O'Neill can assume Deans is almost guaranteed the New Zealand post.

In this case, Alan Jones could be announced in December as the successful bidder for the ARU's "Raise the Titanic" mission.

It's not as if Deans can give O'Neill any indication of his All Blacks prospects.

His sister is married to All Blacks chairman Jock Hobbs but the former New Zealand captain and lawyer has removed himself from the selection process, meaning Deans is not in a position to receive advance information from his brother-in-law.

Deans remains unpopular in some NZRU circles for his role, as assistant to All Blacks coach John Mitchell, in the omission of centre Tana Umaga from the team which played Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Umaga pulled a hamstring in the group matches and, although fit for selection, was not chosen.

As it transpired, Australia's centre Stirling Mortlock, seized an intercept to score the game's only try which ensured the Wallabies won, a result which changed the course of history in both countries.

It delayed the reform process in Australia and cost Mitchell and possibly Deans a job. Deans's supporters in Australia point to the success of his Canterbury teams and their skilful, thoughtful style in the Super 14.

They also argue he is an innovator and open minded.

But he is a Kiwi.

Past Australian World Cup-winning coaches Bob Dwyer and Rod Macqueen have reservations about an outsider being in charge of the national team.

Former Wallabies forward, Greg Cornelsen, a four-try hero in Australia's defeat of the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1978, does not object to a Kiwi coaching the Wallabies but includes himself in the growing list of passengers on the Jones bandwagon.

"When Deans's name was put forward, I said, 'fine, he's had tremendous success'," Cornelsen said. "If John Mitchell [Western Force coach] had applied, I wouldn't have had a problem. But as soon as Deans withdrew from the selection process and said his preferred option was to coach the All Blacks, as far as I'm concerned, it meant he didn't want to coach Australia.

"In any case, we already have a number of outstanding candidates and Alan Jones is by far the best of them. He has an outstanding track record and the only reason rugby is getting any press now is because of what Alan is generating.

"The enthusiasm he would engender would be unbelievable and he would build a small, outstanding team around him."

ARU high performance manager Pat Howard, one of five former Wallabies who interviewed Jones and the other candidates, confirmed their recommendation went to O'Neill on November 12. Howard would not say if Deans could be resurrected if he missed the All Blacks job, pointing out this was O'Neill's decision.

Howard was uncertain when the final decision would be announced, saying it would perhaps be in December after the ARU board met next

Asked if the NZRU timetable was designed to stymie Australia, Howard said: "If we said we'd make an appointment in March, they would say April. The time has come to say enough is enough and to move forward as a sport."