All Black coach Wayne Smith has effectively quit after two years in his position, but he is expected to reapply for the job.

The move comes after the New Zealand rugby union reached an embarrassing deadlock on the question of his reappointment.

This represents a sharp turnaround from Smith, who told a rugby union review panel on Tuesday that he was not interested in continuing.

The review panel which scrutinised his performances recommended that the position of coach and assistant coach, now held by Tony Gilbert, should be advertised.

After much deliberation, the board have followed the panel's recommendations and Smith and Gilbert are expected to take part in interviews with other candidates.

The appointment of a coach to take the all-blacks through the 2003 World Cup should be made next month, just days before the team begin a tour of Ireland, Scotland and Argentina.