Chief executive Gary Flowers says the Australian Rugby Union will not rush into appointing a new Wallabies coach and could wait until as late as April before deciding on Eddie Jones' successor.

While the start of the 2007 World Cup in France is less than two years away, Flowers said time was a secondary consideration in recruiting the Wallabies' new mentor.

"It's a big task and its an important task and its absolutely critical that we get the right person for the position," Flowers said.

"If we require a little more time we believe to get the right person, we'll allow that time.

"We're not going to compromise the quality of the candidate by rushing it."

Jones was sacked as Wallabies coach on Friday after more than four years in the job.

ARU high performance general manager Dr Peter Davis will head a three-member panel formed to recommend the Wallabies new head coach and coaching team to the ARU board.

The panel, which also includes former Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen and a third experienced rugby identity expected to be named this week, is hoped to deliver their recommendations in February.

Flowers, though, said there was no definite timeline at this early stage.

"(February) is something we're aiming towards, but at some stage within that first quarter of next year," Flowers said.

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