Reds coach Ewen McKenzie talks to players before the start of the round three Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium on March 1, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. Photo: Chris Hyde Ewen McKenzie hasn't ruled out a stint with the Melbourne Rebels from next season but says the Wallaby job remains his top priority as conjecture swirls about the future of Robbie Deans. Deans was more sentimental than usual at his final press conference before Saturday night's series-deciding Lions Test in Sydney, prompting speculation the game could be his last in charge of the Wallabies. That flame was fanned by former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, who told ABC Radio that Deans' inability to exert discipline within the national set-up would lead to his undoing, possibly even before the Rugby Championship begins on August 17. He suggested McKenzie could take over immediately or the ARU could install Brumbies coach Jake White, the other leading candidate, to steer the ship towards the 2015 Rugby World Cup. "I think they will either go for Ewen to take over immediately [before The Rugby Championship] or go for Jake to take it for two years and then probably groom Ewen to take it over in 2016 and in the next two years try and sort out the [Melbourne] Rebels," Jones said. I think that's [McKenzie to the Rebels] almost a done deal if Jake gets the Wallabies job. McKenzie announced his decision to leave the Reds at the start of the Super Rugby season, with Richard Graham already at Ballymore as the coach-in-waiting. He said he hadn't been contacted by the Rebels or the ARU but would consider all options as he takes the next step in his career. So far I've been coaching Ireland, Scotland, the Rebels. The Rebels I think are looking at their situation. But that's all I know," McKenzie said. But I've made it quite clear from back in February where my ambitions were [Wallabies]. Whether that happens or not is not in my hands. I've had interesting approaches from all around the world. I'll keep considering things but my main focus is trying to take the Reds as far as we can in this competition. White's push to become Wallaby coach appears to be gaining momentum, although both aspirants will surely get to state their case should Deans' tenure come to an early end. McKenzie, a World Cup-winning forward with the Wallabies, said he remained intent on following his dream to coach the national side but remained a realist. He will keep his options open should White be preferred, or if Deans is yet retained. I've got my ambitions. There's ambition and there's reality. You've got to look at as many things as you can as you go along. It doesn't change where you want to end up. Timing is important in these matters. We'll see," McKenzie said. They [the ARU] have their own agenda and timing. They don't function around what I'm doing. All I've done is make an early decision to give clarity to the Reds staff and playing group and organisation about where I'd be in 2014. That's allowed them to make some decisions early. McKenzie also tipped discarded Wallaby flanker Liam Gill to bounce back strongly in the final round of the Super Rugby season, where the Reds meet the Waratahs in Sydney. The Reds are guaranteed a spot in the finals but the opponent and venue remains to be decided.