07/04/2008 07:52

Canberra - While speculation grows over who will coach the Brumbies next year, axed Waratahs mentor Ewen McKenzie says he can't afford to rule out a return to the nation's capital.

McKenzie was all smiles after his side's emphatic victory over the Blues on Saturday night and said he would soon decide whether to throw his hat in the ring for the Brumbies position.

After refusing to answer questions in the post-match press conference on Saturday night about the prospect of being without a job, the former Wallaby prop and Brumbies assistant coach was on Sunday forced to answer questions regarding his future.

"I've always said in rugby, 'never say never'," McKenzie said.

"I've obviously got to work out what I want to do and I've obviously got a finite amount of time to sort that out so I'll have a look and see what crops up in the next month or so because I've got to move on, I've got to keep paying the bills."

McKenzie said he would not wait until the end of the season to start weighing up his options and would this week begin contacting other clubs and organisations.

"I'll have to be reasonably proactive," he said.

'More jobs will come'

"I just haven't had the opportunity to do much in that regard. I will do some bits and pieces, fire off a few emails.

"More jobs will come up over the next month or two anyway so it's just a matter of getting your CV out there and seeing what happens."

Neither the Brumbies nor McKenzie have engaged in talks about the prospect of the Waratahs coach joining the rival club.

It has been reported that McKenzie's Waratahs assistant Todd Louden will meet with the Brumbies this week.

Incumbent Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said he would put his name forward to continue at the helm while his assistants Matt O'Connor and Nick Scrivener are also being considered for the top job.

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan has formed an interview panel made up of past and current Brumbies players and coaches.

Brett Robinson and Pat Howard will join Fagan, along with captain Stirling Mortlock and former Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen in finding a coach for 2009 and beyond.

McKenzie said he tried to keep his relations with the Waratahs management separated from the players but that it was a relief to have the uncertainty about his place within the Waratahs organisation over.

Doom and gloom

But he denied the Brumbies should speed up their interview process just to escape any unwanted distractions.

"They're big decisions. You've got to do the right thing for the organisation," McKenzie said. "If you don't do it right, a couple of bad decisions in a row and you could end up with doom and gloom for a period of time.

"Most organisations run pretty close to the breeze anyway financially and you can't afford to make a mistake."

Fisher said he was unfazed by the pressure on his position following the Brumbies' 42-28 thrashing by the Chiefs last Friday at Canberra Stadium.

The injury-hit Brumbies were relegated to ninth position on the Super 14 ladder with just three wins from seven starts following the 42-28 loss and are fast slipping from finals contention.

Fisher has been unable to take the Brumbies to the finals since beginning his tenure in 2005.

He has been linked with the Waratahs job.

The Brumbies fly to New Zealand on Thursday ahead of this weekend's round nine clash with the Blues.

Wallaby No8 Stephen Hoiles will learn on Monday whether a cheek injury will sideline him from the brief tour to New Zealand.