'It's very early': Brad Fittler coy on Kangaroos coaching role as left-field solution floated

Brad Fittler admits it's still "very early" in the process of the Kangaroos appointing a new head coach, with Andrew Johns floating a left-field solution to the vacant position.

After long-time boss Mal Meninga stepped down from the role this week to take up a spot with the Perth Bears, the attention has now turned to who leads the national side.

Cameron Smith and Wayne Bennett have also been suggested as options to take over from Meninga, but it looks like Fittler is the front-runner to coach Australia.

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However, speaking on Nine's Sunday Footy Show, the former Kangaroos captain and NSW Blues head coach moved to shut down the speculation.

"It's very early," Fittler said.

"These blokes are about to go overseas for the first Kangaroos tour in 22 years.

"The amount of organisation … the game is looking into getting a head coach.

"The position has only been available for four days. It's all very primary talks with whoever they are speaking to. I'm sure they're not committed to one particular person."

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Fittler coached the Prime Minister's XIII at the end of last year, continuing his coaching career just 12 months after he stood down from State of Origin duties.

While he has his nose in front, Fittler was then quizzed by Johns about the possibility of working in tandem with Maroons legend Smith for the year-end Ashes series.

"Could you do it together? It would be a great combination," he said.

Fittler didn't deny it, but towed the same line as his initial response.

"Like I said - it's four days old," he said.

"It's a great position. The experience would be incredible - but there's a lot of chat that has to happen. To think it's just turning up and coaching is far-fetched."

Billy Slater - who is currently in charge of the Queensland side - believes that either candidate would be ideal to head up the green and gold program.

"I think both Brad and Cameron would do fantastic jobs as the national coach," he said.

"The one thing that they need to work out is whether they want to do it.

"If they are passionate about coaching our country, these two ex-players could have done it when they played. They would be fantastic appointments, but it is an all-in sort of thing and you need to have the passion and real drive to do it.

"It's a pretty high honour to coach your country and it would be fantastic to see one of those two guys coach our country."