After a testing year at Rugby Australia, the slate is slowly being wiped clean. Respected Sydney sports executive Peter Horne is set to be appointed as the new director of high performance, leaving the role of Wallabies head coach as the next piece of a complex puzzle to be completed.

Horne will play a key role in recruiting the right person for the job alongside new RA chairman Daniel Herbert and chief executive Phil Waugh, but who would want to take the job after a disastrous World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is: plenty of elite coaches.

Waugh said he’s not surprised by the level of interest the job has already attracted from potential candidates.

“Coaching is like playing, you’ve only got a limited career span,” Waugh said. “So you look for big opportunities, it’s a big opportunity, so I’m not surprised [at the interest], I’m more enthused and excited that others see the opportunity similarly.”

Rugby Australia will go to market for the role in the new year and Waugh said that the interview panel will take their time to make the correct decision.

“I like to be really methodical and considered about how we go about things,” Waugh said. “I think getting the director of high performance landed and announced is really important, then ensuring that we’ve got the appropriate selection panel, which captures all the different stakeholders as best we can.

“So that it’s around the Wallaby environment and it’s also around the culture of rugby in Australia as well.”

Waugh has also confirmed he is open to international candidates, which could open the door to the likes of All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt.

“I think that the Australian culture is integral to how this system will be set up going forward,” Waugh said. “That doesn’t preclude any international coach that’s got the appropriate attributes and skill set and track record, but what we will be driving through the system is that real Australian way.”