Rugby: Joseph a done deal - Japanese media

Jamie Joseph
Jamie Joseph
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has reportedly signed to coach Japan but the franchise is yet to confirm his departure.

Japanese media reported yesterday officials from the Japan Rugby Football Union had met Joseph last week and had come to an agreement the Highlanders coach would take over coaching the national side.

Joseph could not be contacted yesterday, with the Highlanders squad in the Catlins for a short camp before pre-season training winds up for Christmas.

Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

He said he had nothing to add to a short statement the Highlanders released last Thursday that said the franchise did not comment on speculation about players and management.

But it looks like Joseph will be the next coach of Japan and it will be officially confirmed before Christmas.

The Nikkan Sports website reported yesterday Joseph had been selected as the next coach for Japan and was likely to take up the job next year.

He was likely to take over for the June internationals, when Japan plays Scotland, but would still be able to continue coaching the Highlanders for next season.

This move is not entirely new, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika coaching the Waratahs and the Wallabies at the same time this season, though the sides never played at the same time.

The June internationals fall in the window when the Highlanders are not playing, so Joseph may head to Japan to coach his new side in the two tests against the Scottish side.

He is in his final year of a two-year deal with the Highlanders and will have coached the side for six years at the end of next season.

The side won the championship last season and losing Joseph would undoubtedly be a blow, but the time appears right for Joseph to move to the next phase of his coaching career.

The chance to move up to be part of the All Black coaching setup appears to be closed with the re-signing of most of the present staff.

Joseph has plenty of connections with Japan. He moved to the country in late 1995 and stayed there for eight years both as a player and a coach.

He still has connections with the Sanix Blues club and speaks Japanese.

After a fine performance at the World Cup in England, Japanese rugby is on something of a high and wants an experienced and well-regarded coach to continue that momentum.

The 46-year-old Joseph had brought credibility to the franchise since first coaching the side in 2011, climaxing in winning the title earlier this year.

The team will break up after three weeks of pre-season training tomorrow and will come together again on January 11.

It should be a busy few days for Japanese rugby, with former Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett set to be named coach of the new Japanese Super rugby side, the Sunwolves, as early as today.

 

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