The Australian Rugby Union will begin advertising for the next Wallabies coach this week after announcing the selection panel charged with finding a replacement for John Connolly.

Connolly will step down from the post at the end of the World Cup in October, with the ARU aiming to name his successor by late November following a worldwide search.

New Zealander Robbie Deans, current Wallabies assistant Scott Johnson, and former Brumbies coach David Nucifora, are believed to be the main contenders for the job.

The six-member panel will be chaired by ARU chief executive John O'Neill, and include ARU directors Rod McCall and Mark Connors, former head of the High Performance Unit Dr Brett Robinson, managing director of insurance group IAG Michael Hawker and current head of the High Performance Unit Pat Howard.

McCall, Connors, Robinson, Hawker and Howard are all former Wallabies.

An ARU statement said preliminary discussions had already been held with a number of prospective coaches, with the process to begin in earnest at the end of the World Cup with the aim of appointing the next Wallaby coach in late November.

The position will be advertised nationally this weekend and internationally in the next week.

"The appointment of the Wallaby coach is a very important decision for the ARU and Australian Rugby," said O'Neill.

"We are fortunate to have secured an outstanding group of talented individuals to assist us in this process."

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