The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has begun a search for a new national coach to replace Rod Macqueen, who plans to step down after this year's Tri-Nations series.
The ARU said it would make a decision in the next two months so the new coach could work alongside Macqueen during the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia and the Tri-Nations against New Zealand and South Africa.
The new coach would then take over the running of the team for the end-of-season tour to Canada and Europe which the Wallabies are planning to use as the springboard for their World Cup defence in 2003.
The ARU will appoint a four-man committee to select Macqueen's successor with ACT Brumbies coach Eddie Jones - the favourite to claim the job.