NZ Rugby will announce the next All Blacks coach on Tuesday afternoon.
A press conference has been called for 4pm, with Scott Robertson looming as hot favourite to succeed Ian Foster after this year's World Cup.
Japan coach Jamie Joseph is Robertson's strongest competition for the role, although he's considered only an outside chance to win the position.
Earlier this month, Foster confirmed he wouldn't re-apply for the role beyond his current deal, which expires after the showpiece tournament in France later this year.
"I felt the best thing for our team and for our entire management group was to have this process done after the Rugby World Cup," he said. "That hasn't happened, but we will accept the decision and move on.
"My sole focus remains unchanged. It is to lead this All Blacks team and management group in our planning and preparation, so that we go to France with the goal of winning the Rugby World Cup and making this country proud."
Foster has also expressed frustration that the decision isn't being delayed until after the Cup, claiming it would be a distraction for the squad.
After a string of poor results last year - including a first-ever loss to Argentina on NZ soil and home series defeat against Ireland - Foster seemed like he may be shown the door early, but the a classic comeback victory against the Springboks at Johannesburg helped him evade the axe, as NZ Rugby chose to reaffirm its faith in the incumbent.
Robertson's staggering streak of Super Rugby titles at the helm of the Crusaders have had him pounding down the All Blacks door since Sir Steve Hansen's departure after the 2019 World Cup in Japan - and it appears that it may finally be opening.
The announcement comes earlier than expected, with NZ Rugby indicating at the start of the month that the process would take 4-6 weeks.
Join Newshub at 4pm for a livestream of NZ Rugby's coaching announcement
