Dave Rennie says he has not signed any contract with Rugby Australia to take over the Wallabies but the Glasgow Warriors coach reiterated his interest in the role overnight.
Rennie is widely expected to be Michael Cheika's successor, with reports this week suggesting an agreement had already been struck.
The former Chiefs coach is currently contracted to Glasgow until the end of the European season in June next year after inking a contract extension after last season and it's a timeline he has said numerous times he is sticking to.
With a changing Test calendar coming in 2020, the Wallabies' first internationals would be in July, a schedule that wouldn't leave Rennie much time to take control of the team, let alone shape the staff, unless he exited Glasgow well before then.
Speaking to media in Scotland for the first time since Cheika's resignation last Sunday, Rennie was adamant nothing had been signed with Rugby Australia and that he would certainly be in Glasgow for the rest of the season, no matter what he decides.
“Probably the easiest way to clarify this is that I know there’s lots of speculation in the media that I’ve already signed [a contract with Australia] and people have been informed and all this sort of stuff,” he said.
"That’s not accurate. I haven’t signed, and I will definitely be here till the end of this season, which is the end of June.
“I’ll just reiterate: regardless of what happens to me beyond this season, I’m here for the full season. It’s important to me. I’m committed to the Warriors and I won’t leave earlier.”
Rennie's name has been thrown around as a potential Cheika successor for the better part of a year, with the Kiwi initially being floated as a replacement when Cheika faced a wide-ranging review last year.
Asked whether he would be interested in coaching the Wallabies, Rennie said he would jump at the chance.
"Yeah, I think we’ve discussed this before, so yeah, absolutely," he said.
"I guess what I’m implying is there’s lots of talk about this and I’m already committed [to Glasgow], you know. There’s a lot of speculation, as there has been for months.”
Asked whether his agent had begun meeting with prospective employers, Rennie was less emphatic.
“All I would say to that is that it’s almost like when we sign players," he said.
"We don’t discuss anything until there’s an announcement to be made. It’s no different to coaches and me.”
There has also been talk that Rennie's assistant, and Scotland defence coach, Matt Taylor could join him in Australia.
Aussie Taylor coached the Reds defence in their Super Rugby championship winning year of 2011 before taking up a role with Scotland at the end of 2012.
Rennie didn't entertain that suggestion much, only responding with: "Speculation".
