NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has confirmed he has spoken to the Australian Rugby Union about the vacant Wallabies coaching job, and that a deal is close to be agreed.

The team is due to leave for a five-Test European tour on Friday, and the ARU is in a race against time to replace Ewen McKenzie, who stepped down at the weekend following Saturday’s loss to New Zealand in Brisbane.

Officials are refusing to confirm reports Cheika is on the verge of signing, saying nothing has been agreed, however Cheika believes a deal is close.

• Cheika the favourite for Wallabies post
• Insular, myopic, deluded: why Australian rugby is sinking

“There’s a few things to iron out obviously, the logistics etcetera. Everything is so close,” Cheika told media on Monday.

“We’ll see how it goes and work it out from there.”

Cheika said he was humbled to have been offered the job, and emphasised his interest in taking it on.

“Who wouldn’t be interested in coaching their country?” he said.

“It’s a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that, but we’ll see what happens.”

The ARU said it will appoint an interim coach if it fails to reach agreement with its favoured candidate.

A squad for the European tour is likely to be named on Tuesday.

Cheika’s coaching track record includes winning the Heineken Cup with Irish side Leinster and the Waratahs’ maiden Super title earlier this year.

An agreement between the ARU and Cheika could see him continue as Waratahs coach for their Super title defence, according to NSW Rugby Union chief executive Jason Allen.

While Allen wouldn’t confirm or deny whether his organisation had held talks with the ARU over Cheika’s availability, he made it clear the NSWRU board wanted their coach to oversee the Waratahs’ title defence.

“We would fully endorse and support Michael if he was offered that (Wallaby) role, that’s without fail,” Allen told AAP on Monday.

“I think it’s a great compliment for the many years of service he’s provided in rugby.

“We would however respect, that he would have to, with our best wishes, accept both roles for next season.

“It would be challenging, but with a small amount of inbound Tests, the board and I think that’s achievable.”

Asked if any deal with the ARU would be conditional on Cheika coaching the Tahs in 2015, Allen said: “We would find it very hard to accept a release without that condition.

“We’ve got an entity to protect as well, as much as Michael’s career.”

– with AAP