There is still not much more to say about whether coach Jamie Joseph is going to be promoted to the All Blacks.
Joseph himself is giving absolutely nothing away as expectation builds that the race to replace the sacked Scott Robertson boils down to the Highlanders man and former Chiefs and Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
Applications for the job have closed and there is speculation New Zealand Rugby is going, or has been, to Japan to interview Rennie.
There appears to be a feeling that Rennie is the slight favourite for the job, but given Joseph is the incumbent All Blacks XV coach, is presently in a New Zealand-based role, has vast international experience and has long been considered a contender for the top job, it is hard to imagine the Highlanders boss not being strongly considered.
Joseph said very little when asked if the opportunity to chase his All Blacks coaching dream was too good to turn down.
"It was totally unexpected," he said, referring to Robertson’s removal.
"You have your head down thinking about your own team, and for me that is the Highlanders. That has really been my focus.
"The publicity around the job has been surprisingly simple for the players. There hasn’t been a lot said.
"This is our first game after a really tough season, so I’m really focused on the Highlanders.
But could he confirm he had applied for the All Blacks job?
"I’m really focused on the Highlanders."
