New Zealand coach Steve Hansen will announce his future plans before Christmas.
Asked if he knew whether his compatriot and Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was going to leave his post after the World Cup next year, Hansen says: “Well, I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Joe. We’re all going to be making an announcement shortly.
“I decided before I left [New Zealand for the All Blacks tour] that I was going to make an announcement, and I’ll do that before Christmas at some stage.”
Schmidt, whose contract comes to an end after the World Cup, has been mentioned as a potential future All Blacks coach.
He's made a strong case for himself with two victories in four meetings with the world champions - the last one a thrilling and gutsy 16-9 win on Saturday.
Schmidt is due to announce by the end of November whether he will stay on.
Schmidt, who has revolutionised Irish rugby since taking over the reins in 2013 and landed three Six Nations titles, would be a rarity as an All Blacks coach in coming from outside the national set-up.
New Zealand has a policy of promoting coaches into the All Blacks ranks from Super Rugby jobs.
Hansen was promoted to the top job from being assistant after head coach Graham Henry stepped down following the 2011 World Cup triumph.
Hansen’s present assistant Ian Foster has been in the job for six years after a seven-year stint as coach of the Chiefs.