All Blacks coach Wayne Smith will compete for his reappointment after initially telling the New Zealand Rugby Football Union he wasn't interested in continuing.

The NZRFU said on Saturday it would readvertise Smith's job and that of assistant coach Tony Gilbert, with a view to confirming a coach later next month.

Smith (pictured), appointed with Gilbert two seasons ago, has come in for criticism after the All Blacks finished this year's Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup campaign empty-handed.

NZRFU chairman Murray McCaw said Smith had told the board on Tuesday he wouldn't be reapplying, but would reconsider if the job was re-advertised. On Thursday Smith did just that as NZRFU chief executive David Rutherford told the board the independent review panel believed the job should be put up for grabs.

"On Tuesday the All Blacks coach advised the panel he wasn't a contender, but he might be if it was contestable," Rutherford told reporters.

The independent review panel, who appointed Smith and Gilbert, is made up of past All Blacks selector Lane Penn and former All Blacks Sir Brian Lochore, John Graham, Richie Guy, Andy Dalton and Tane Norton.

McCaw said it was the united view of the panel, the NZRFU board and NZRFU management that all coaching positions be re-advertised. That would also not guarantee the futures of Gilbert and manager Andrew Martin.

The other coaching and management positions would be filled after the head coach position was decided, in time for their overseas tour in November. The All Blacks are scheduled to play Tests against Ireland and Scotland, before travelling to Buenos Aires to face Argentina.

Saturday's press conference was hastily called after the news was leaked to the New Zealand Herald newspaper. In a statement, Smith said he wanted the All Blacks to have the best coach available, and indicated he would be reapplying for the position.

"It is vitally important to me that the person who leads the All Blacks into the next World Cup is considered to be the best coach in the country," Smith said.

"I want to continue coaching the All Blacks but I will always put the best interests of the All Blacks ahead of my own desires, and if that means someone else taking over as coach then so be it."

Smith said he and Gilbert had aimed to restore steel and mana to the All Blacks jersey in the past two years, and he felt that had been achieved.

"I think we are on the right track but it is only right if the board feels there is someone else that would do an even better job."

McCaw said Smith and Gilbert had made "significant
improvements" to the All Blacks team this year. "Future All Blacks performances is now the issue and the board, management and the panel are firmly of the view that the only way to ensure we have the best possible coaching is through a contestable process."

The All Blacks have won five of their seven matches this year, with both their losses coming to the world champion Wallabies in Dunedin and Sydney. - Sapa-NZPA