MORE: Pulver: Battered Wallabies can win World Cup | Hooper: McKenzie had player support
NSW coach Michael Cheika is the favourite to replace his former Randwick team-mate after leading the Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title in August.
World Cup winning Springboks coach Jake White, who basically had the Wallabies job last July before a late change of heart saw McKenzie appointed, is the other main contender.
But with just five days to sort out a replacement before the squad leaves for the five-Test Spring tour, there is no guarantee a deal can be done this week.
We suspect Cheika will get the nod but if negotiations stall there is a chance a bolter could come from the clouds and land a contract until the end of the 2015 World Cup.
The ARU's five-man rugby committee of Michael Hawker, Brett Robinson, John Eales, Paul McLean and Ben Whitaker are responsible for selecting the new coach.
The contenders are:
Michael Cheika
The inside word is that the job is Cheika's if he wants it. There is strong mail that the Tahs coach already rejected an offer from Pulver last week, although both men have publicly denied meeting. The 47-year-old is the only coach to win a Super Rugby title and a European Championship (with Leinster). His credentials are unquestionable and he is extremely popular with several senior players. But Cheika is volatile and would bring some baggage to the job. He is currently on a suspended six-month ban for threatening a cameraman in South Africa. If he is found guilty of any breach of the code of conduct up until August 31, 2015 he would be banned from any involvement in rugby for six months.
Jake White
The South African was all-but told he would replace Robbie Deans last July before McKenzie got the nod. A furious White subsequently quit his role with the Brumbies mid-contract and joined the Durban-based Sharks. The 51-year-old cut ties with the Sharks after leading them to third in Super Rugby this season. It is understood he was pushed out by a player revolt however the official line was that his desire to return to the international scene led him to accept his current role as technical advisor with Tonga. White is a proven winner although his conservative tactics are at odds with the entertaining brand of rugby the ARU wants the Wallabies to play. He led the Springboks to an against-the-odds World Cup victory in 2007 in England, where the 2015 World Cup will be co-hosted.
Stephen Larkham
The Wallabies legend has had just one season of head coaching experience and is still realistically several years away from being a legitimate contender. But if both Cheika and White can't agree to terms, the Brumbies coach could be a good short-term option. The players would respect him and he would attempt to play the running rugby the ARU craves. The 40-year-old could take the reins until the World Cup next September/October. He would essentially be given a free shot and could still be a contender as head coach in the future even if he had limited success next year.
Tony McGahan
McGahan spent six seasons on the coaching roster of Irish club Munster before returning to Australia in 2012 as the Wallabies' coaching co-ordinator before taking over as head coach of the Rebels in July, 2013. The players respect him and he has experience but is well back in the pack of contenders.
Laurie Fisher
The former Brumbies head coach would be a left-field option. He is currently in Gloucester after leaving his role as Brumbies Coaching Director at the end of the Super Rugby season. He won't get the job but his name will at least be discussed and he could do a Steven Bradbury if others pass up the opportunity.
Alan Jones
Ok, we're not serious but the 73-year-old applied for the job in 2008 before Robbie Deans was appointed. He coached Australia in the mid 1980's and still genuinely believes he could coach the Wallabies now.