Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has agreed to sign a contract extension with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) until 2013 and the announcement is expected to be made as soon as possible.

Australian rugby boss John O'Neill explained that negotiations between the two had gone smoothly and added that as soon as they get an opportunity the announcement will be made.

He told sportal: "It's all on track, we haven't got a signed contract yet but we will get these two Test matches (against Samoa and South Africa) out of the way - they're back to back so he's busy and I'm busy.

"There's no insurmountable issues and in a quieter moment we'll formally announce it. It's been a pretty trouble-free negotiation and it's an extension through to the end of 2013," he said.

O'Neill is more than happy with the job that the New Zealand-born mentor has done with the team and is more than willing to reward him with a contract extension before the World Cup - a move that is being met with some apprehension in Australia.

"I'm very relaxed about it and very happy to have certainty and I like the idea of no distractions. It's a bit like saying to the players 'we don't want any distractions', Robbie doesn't want any distractions either. He and I have agreed in principle, the formality now is with the lawyers and he's just getting on with the job," said O'Neill.

The ARU boss is very positive about the state of Australian rugby at the moment and he believes that the Reds' victory in the Super Rugby competition will lead to bigger and better things.

"We targeted 2011 to be a turning point for Australian rugby and so far so good. I'm very excited, I think we are turning momentum into reality. The Super Rugby trophy is a big trophy, we've (Australia) only won it twice before with the Brumbies.

"Once you get the taste of success you want more so I think the Reds victory will add further impetus to that momentum," he said.