Joseph has not replied to messages left by the Otago Daily Times but the newspaper understands it is only a matter of time before he is unveiled as Highlanders coach, with All Black assistant Steve Hansen likely to work in an advisory role for the franchise.
Joseph has just finished coaching New Zealand Maori on an internal tour and, as one of the most promising coaches in the country, a step up to Super rugby is a logical progression.
Joseph (40) has connections with the South, having played 68 games for Otago from 1989 to 1995 before he left to play and coach in Japan.
Joseph should have the job by the end of the month, and will get straight into his work for next season.
Under New Zealand Rugby Union rules he will not be able to coach Wellington in the ITM Cup, although he may get a couple of weeks to help out a new coach before he takes on the new position.
No-one from the Wellington union returned calls to discuss succession plans.
Interviews for the Highlanders position are due to take place next week and Highlanders chairman Ross Laidlaw would not reveal this week who would be interviewed.
Only Northland coach Bryce Woodward has publicly revealed he is applying for the job, with other candidates such as Southland co-coaches Simon Culhane and David Henderson ruling themselves out of the equation.
The duo started a barn-building business last year and wish to concentrate on the business and stick to coaching Southland.
There had been a strong possibility Culhane would be Joseph's assistant but he seems reluctant to move from his Invercargill base for up to nine months.
With next year's new Super 15 comprising three five-team conferences, each team will play 18 matches - an extra five games over last season - and the competition will go from February to late July.
Coupled with pre-season training, that would mean more than nine months in Dunedin.
Joseph will get the luxury of handpicking his assistant, with former Otago team-mate and now assistant Wellington coach Andre Bell a strong candidate.
The wildcard remains Hansen, who wanted to be a head coach two years ago with the Crusaders but was denied that chance by the NZRU.
It is unlikely the NZRU will change its rules to allow Hansen a head coaching role, so he may be in an advisory role, helping out with coaching and liaising with players.
The NZRU and the Highlanders will want the coaching position pinned down as soon as possible, to help players decide on the future and get planning under way for the 2011 season.
