Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has broken his silence after being passed over once again for the All Blacks head coaching job, losing out this time to Dave Rennie. This marks the second occasion Joseph has been sidelined, previously losing to Scott Robertson following Ian Foster's tenure post-2023 Rugby World Cup. Despite rumors of dissatisfaction, Joseph dispelled the notion that he was irked by the selection process handled by New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
"There was disappointment, I felt it was a tight race. It was really thorough," Joseph expressed during a media briefing in Dunedin. "Dave getting the job is a real credit to him. He is a qualified and quality coach who has been to a lot of places, so I wish him well."
"In my view it was a tight race, guys, it was a thorough process and that's all I can say really."
Joseph noted that the selection proceedings this time were markedly different from previous experiences. He lauded NZR for its rigorous approach, underscoring his openness to potentially vying for the position in the future. "You never know what's around the corner," he hinted at a possible reapplication.
The need for a top-tier attack coach was another point Joseph touched upon, a gap evidently felt during Robertson’s era. Meanwhile, newly appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie shared his appreciation for Joseph’s sportsmanship. "He messaged me immediately after he found out this morning – which shows the class of the man – congratulating me," Rennie acknowledged, reflecting on their professional camaraderie.
David Kirk, NZR chairman, also commended Joseph's graciousness in handling the news. "He is an excellent coach and someone who is doing great work in New Zealand Rugby, and we’re looking forward to having him around the New Zealand Rugby environment at all sorts of levels. He’s a wonderful man and a great coach," Kirk added.
As Joseph gears up for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific clash where his Highlanders will take on the Western Force in Dunedin, the rugby community continues to recognize his significant contributions and resilience in the face of professional setbacks. With his future in coaching looking broad and undetermined, the rugby world watches on, eager to see where his expertise and leadership will take him next.
2,100 posts
Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has broken his silence after being passed over once again for the All Blacks head coaching job, losing out this time to Dave Rennie. This marks the second occasion Joseph has been sidelined, previously losing to Scott Robertson following Ian Foster's tenure post-2023 Rugby World Cup. Despite rumors of dissatisfaction, Joseph dispelled the notion that he was irked by the selection process handled by New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
"There was disappointment, I felt it was a tight race. It was really thorough," Joseph expressed during a media briefing in Dunedin. "Dave getting the job is a real credit to him. He is a qualified and quality coach who has been to a lot of places, so I wish him well."
"In my view it was a tight race, guys, it was a thorough process and that's all I can say really."
Joseph noted that the selection proceedings this time were markedly different from previous experiences. He lauded NZR for its rigorous approach, underscoring his openness to potentially vying for the position in the future. "You never know what's around the corner," he hinted at a possible reapplication.
The need for a top-tier attack coach was another point Joseph touched upon, a gap evidently felt during Robertson’s era. Meanwhile, newly appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie shared his appreciation for Joseph’s sportsmanship. "He messaged me immediately after he found out this morning – which shows the class of the man – congratulating me," Rennie acknowledged, reflecting on their professional camaraderie.
David Kirk, NZR chairman, also commended Joseph's graciousness in handling the news. "He is an excellent coach and someone who is doing great work in New Zealand Rugby, and we’re looking forward to having him around the New Zealand Rugby environment at all sorts of levels. He’s a wonderful man and a great coach," Kirk added.
As Joseph gears up for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific clash where his Highlanders will take on the Western Force in Dunedin, the rugby community continues to recognize his significant contributions and resilience in the face of professional setbacks. With his future in coaching looking broad and undetermined, the rugby world watches on, eager to see where his expertise and leadership will take him next.