NZ Rugby expects to select the next All Blacks coach within 4-6 weeks.
Chair Dame Patsy Reddy has responded to mounting conjecture over the appointment by setting a timeline for the appointment, confirming it will be made before the Rugby World Cup in France in September/October.
"Until now, NZ Rugby has been reluctant to talk publicly about an appointment process for the All Blacks coach to protect the integrity of the process and to minimise the scrutiny on the individual involved," said Dame Patsy.
"Recent events, however, necessitate some clarity."
Last month, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson - a six-time Super Rugby champion and leading candidate for the All Blacks job - hinted an announcement on the process could be expected "in the next few day", but that was quickly denied by NZ Rugby.
Last week, incumbent Ian Foster admitted he did not expect to remain in the role after the World Cup.
"I'm pretty sure they've [NZ Rugby] got a pretty clear idea and that's up to them to voice that," he told Newstalk ZB. "It does seem to be reasonably obvious."
With several nations already making coaching appointments - both before and after the World Cup - NZ Rugby had indicated it would likely break with tradition and begin early to avoid losing prime candidates.
Robertson has been linked with several international coaching jobs, including the All Blacks, when Foster suffered a run of five defeats in six games and seemingly came close to losing his job, but the scrutiny has already taken a toll on the Crusaders, who suffered a season-opening loss to the Chiefs.
"Noting the divergent views as to the best times of this process and that neither timing window is perfect, out of respect for the people involved, after today, NZ Rugby will not be making any further comment until a decision has been reached," said Dame Patsy. "This will be concluded in the next 4-6 weeks.
"The current All Blacks coaching and management team, led by Ian Foster, continues to have the full support of NZ Rugby through this critical Rugby World Cup year."
Reddy insists there are a "good group of potential candidates", but won't be drawn on specific names or the public debate over the job.
"We're all passionate about this, it's really important to the country," she said. "It is a confidential process and will remain confidential from here on in, but we're not responsible for what other people say."
Making an early appointment risks some distraction during the World Cup campaign under Foster and Dame Patsy acknowledges no timing is perfect.
"I hope not," she said. "We're going to do it with the utmost integrity and utmost robustness."
