Paris - New Zealander Vern Cotter, who is in charge of French Top 14 club Clermont, is interested in taking over from Graham Henry as coach of the world champion All Blacks.
"Yes, I am a candidate for the job," the 49-year-old Cotter told the French sports daily L'Equipe on Monday.
"I am fully committed to the work I have with Clermont ... but I still have a passion for New Zealand rugby. I want to play a part."
Henry left the All Blacks after steering the team to World Cup glory on home soil last month.
Cotter was Robbie Deans's assistant at the Crusaders from 2004-06 and coached Bay of Plenty from 2000-04.
He joined Clermont in 2006 and led the team to their first French title four years later.