New Zealand forwards coach Steve Hansen has not ruled of himself out of coaching the Highlanders but says he has not formally applied.
The Highlanders announced in June that head coach Glenn Moore and his assistant and Peter Russell would have to reapply for their jobs.
Since then, the rumour mill has been in overdrive after All Blacks coach Graham Henry said "there were some foundations" to the theory Hansen would take up the helm at the struggling southern franchise.
Hansen said on Monday: "I haven't got any plans with the Highlanders.
"I'm not going to rule myself out because the New Zealand Rugby Union hasn't ruled anyone out. At this stage, no-one's come to me and said 'will you coach the Highlanders?'
"It's all speculation. I'm open to most things. I've always said I'd like to do more coaching, but that doesn't mean I'm coaching the Highlanders."
Meanwhile, Hansen made it clear that victories over South Africa in Auckland and Wellington over the next two weeks were imperative if the All Blacks want to win the Tri-Nations.
"Getting the Boks first up means we have to win both games at home - otherwise we have to make up the points offshore," Hansen said.
"We have a deep desire to perform having lost the Tri Nations last year. There's a huge hunger to win it back.
"We're playing what everybody deems to be the best side in the world. We fancy ourselves to be a handy rugby side as well.
"There's a lot at stake, so the tension and pressure is a lot greater than normal."
Hansen insisted there was no mental hangover from last year's three losses to the Springboks, whose coach Peter de Villiers claimed the All Blacks had lost their invincibility.
"Test rugby's about playing mind games and he's [De Villiers] very good at it," Hansen added. "They're 3-0 up over the last 12 months so they can say whatever they want and feel pretty confident."
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