Mackintosh was announced as the franchise's skipper yesterday, replacing Jimmy Cowan after the All Black halfback had spent two years at the helm.
Joseph said Mackintosh (25) was a logical pick to lead the team after a great season for Southland.
"Jamie did a wonderful job for Southland this year and actually hasn't played a huge amount of games for the Highlanders with injuries and that," he said.
"He has a major ability to lead and he is certainly excited about the job and the massive challenge in front of him. I was impressed with the way he led Southland and the way they came through in a number of tight games."
[comment caption=Is Jamie Mackintosh the right choice for Highlanders captain?]Joseph had spoken to Cowan about his decision to move the captain's armband to his provincial team-mate.
"He fully supported the decision and was the first guy to put his hand up and take responsibility for what happened last year. He sees it as being the best thing for him in that he can concentrate on his own game which will help the Highlanders."
Mackintosh and Cowan are joined by 11 other Southlanders in the team, as Joseph stamps his mark on the side.
Otago provides just six players in the 32-strong squad, with prop Halani Aulika the only new Otago player included.
Otago halfback Sean Romans retains his place and is joined by provincial team-mates Adam Thomson, Ben Smith, Alando Soakai and Tom Donnelly.
There are 12 new players in the team and recalls for midfield back Matt Saunders and hooker Mahonri Schwalger.
Saunders last played for the Highlanders in 2008, while Schwalger played one season for the Highlanders in 2005.
He played overseas before coming back to Taranaki to play the latter stages of the ITM Cup.
Joseph said many people had talked about capturing the spirit showed by Southland this year and bringing that to the Highlanders.
"There is a big Southland contingent, not just in the team but within the management, but we must remember we are not Southland. We are the Highlanders. Those guys from Southland and elsewhere have to become Highlanders and not go back into their own sub-culture.
"But guys like Jamie are well aware of that and are committed to this team."
There are eight provinces overall represented in the squad.
Joseph said the side had 26 players coming to Dunedin, along with all but two of the management team, so they had to come together quickly.
The side had two key areas it needed to work on, he said.
"We have to get aligned quickly with what our goals and expectations are and work from there. It has always been difficult to get the different cultures together. We're different than the Hurricanes and the Crusaders who comprise mostly guys who live in Wellington or Christchurch.
"We've also got to make sure we aren't totally focused on results outcomes. We want to look at specific things like needing to improve and putting in maximum effort, and engaging with the public."
He wanted to produce a side which was full of committed players who were proud to wear the Highlanders jersey.
Joseph said Aulika may be inexperienced in terms of playing time but he had scored a bucketload of tries for Otago this season and would benefit with the players and coaching resources around him.
Romans had an average season with Otago but Joseph said he had previously been identified as a player of talent and had the game to play at this level.
Robbie Robinson was selected as a fullback, Joseph said, while no position had been finalised for Ben Smith.
Only three locks have been selected but Joseph said the side had the advantage of loose forward Jarrad Hoeata being able to play lock.
There are seven loose forwards in the team, five props and three hookers.
Fullback Kurt Baker was nursing a back injury but Joseph said he would wait a couple of months to see how the injury progressed before considering a replacement.
The side would not get together until December 13. Although Joseph said that was not ideal, every other New Zealand team was in the same boat.
The wider training squad members are yet to be announced but are believed to be Otago hookers Liam Coltman and Sam Anderson-Heather, Southland forwards Alex Ryan and Tim Boys, Southland inside back James Wilson, Auckland midfield back Ben Atiga, Otago winger Fetu'u Vainikolo and Southland fullback Glen Horton.
As predicted, the Crusaders look the most impressive squad with the introduction of Israel Dagg and Sonny Bill Williams.
The Hurricanes will undoubtedly miss the injured Piri Weepu, especially with Alby Mathewson off to the Blues, and have picked Dan Kirkpatrick to back up Aaron Cruden.
The Chiefs look to have plenty of weapons in their backs but their pack will lean on former Highlanders locks Hayden Triggs and Isaac Ross.
Bradley Mika is back from overseas to play for the Blues, where Toby Morland will join another former Otago halfback, Chris Smylie.
Highlanders: 2011 squad
Fullbacks: Kurt Baker, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson
Wingers: James Paterson, Telusa Veainu
Midfield: Kendrick Lynn, Siale Piutau, Matt Saunders, Shaun Treeby
First five-eigths: Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga
Halfbacks: Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans, Aaron Smith
Loose forwards: Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson
Locks: Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Joe Tuineau
Props: Halani Aulika, Chris King, Jamie Mackintosh, Bronson Murray, David Te Moana
Hookers: Brayden Mitchell, Jason Rutledge, Mahonri Schwalger
Gone from last year: Mathew Berquist, Tim Boys, Israel Dagg, Jayden Hayward, Michael Hobbs, Jason Macdonald, Clint Newland, Steven Setephano, Jason Shoemark, Hayden Triggs, Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Provincial breakdown: Southland 13, Otago 6, Taranaki 3, Canterbury 3, Wellington 3, Manawatu 2, Counties-Manukau 1, Northland 1.
