Whoever takes on the role will take over from Aled Francis, who filled in for the second half of last season after Willie de Meyer stepped down from the job.

New president Dan McGreal – who replaces Andrew Scott – wasn’t ready to talk names until the coach was locked in.

However, he said if the Blacks sealed the deal, it would be a huge coup for the club.

“We’re in negotiations with an international-level coach,” McGreal said.

“He’s on tour with an international sevens team at the moment and we’re going to try to get him and his son to Griffith.”

A new coach was just one item discussed at the Blacks committee meeting on Tuesday.

Enoch Tia was named as a first-grade assistant coach while Ina Pulega will lead the second grade team again.

On top of that, McGreal revealed two new signings the Blacks had made.

Sean Dodd will return to the Grifith fold while former Ag College player James Kanaley will don the black strip in 2017 as well.

“They both play in the forwards, James is a loose forward – a number eight – and Sean plays in the tight five,” McGreal said.

McGreal said the forwards were just what Griffith needed in 2017.

However, the Blacks were still on the lookout for players to bolster their forward stocks.

“We lost Matt Vitucci which of course will be a big loss,” McGreal said.

“We’re hoping to fill that void and hopefully get one or two props.

“We’re also in the search for locks as well.”

The Blacks will commence pre-season training on Tuesday, January 31 at the Exies Sporties and McGreal said all are welcome to come on down.

“We want to welcome any newcomers to town or anyone wanting to take up rugby to come on down,” McGreal said.

“We want to be competitive – and I think we are more than capable of being that – but we’re a very social side and we want to give back to the community.”