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Jamie Joseph returns to Highlanders in newly created role
Japan coach Jamie Joseph will return to the Highlanders in a newly created position from next season, as confirmed by the club on Thursday afternoon.
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Joseph has signed a four-year deal with the Highlanders, and will officially start his new role as Head of Rugby in early 2024.
The legendary coach, who led the Highlanders to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2015 and Japan to a quarter-final berth at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, will oversee the Highlanders’ rugby programme.
As part of his new position, Joseph will be in charge of player retention and recruitment. Joseph will also support the coaching group, which includes mentoring head coach Clarke Dermody.
“I view the role as a great opportunity to give back to the club and the region that means so much to me,” Joseph said in a statement.
“I did my study at the University of Otago, played for Otago, and my family have enjoyed being raised and schooled in Dunedin.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Head Coach of the Highlanders, so I am genuinely excited about returning to the south to offer my services to the club in 2024.”
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Joseph originally joined the Highlanders as their head coach in 2011, and went on to lead the franchise to groundbreaking heights during his successful tenure.
But, ahead of the last Rugby World Cup in Japan, Joseph took up a position with the Brave Blossoms in 2017. Japan went on to reach the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time.
“I guess there are some similarities between the Highlanders and Japan,” Joseph added.
“When I first started with the Highlanders they were on a bit of a lean run but over time we were able to connect with the community and put together a successful team and coaching group. I can see no reason why that cannot be repeated.
“It was a bit the same when I first came to Japan, I knew we would have to galvanise the public behind the Brave Blossoms for the World Cup tournament to be a real success in Japan.
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“The key to that was always going to be a lot of hard work and a team playing a brand of rugby that folks could be proud of and excited by.”
The Highlanders fell agonisingly short of a spot in the knockout stages of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, having missed out on points difference.
Finishing with a record of five wins and nine losses, the Highlanders finished equal on competition points with the eighth-placed Queensland Reds.
But looking to usher in a new era of greatness, the addition of rugby guru Jamie Joseph is nothing short of genius.
“Whilst this is a new position for the club it is common in other parts of the world,” head coach Clarke Dermody said.
“I see enormous value in having a proven and experienced world-class coach like Jamie leading the overall rugby programme. The advice and direction he will bring is exciting from my perspective.
“I believe this is a positive step by the club and I am looking forward to working with him again.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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