Jamie Joseph embraces Marty Banks after winning the Super Rugby title in 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Championship winning coach Jamie Joseph is returning to the Highlanders on a four-year deal as the Super Rugby franchise's new head of rugby.
Joseph's new role involves leading the entire Highlanders rugby programme, including recruitment and retention of players, supporting the coaching group and mentoring head coach Clarke Dermody.
Joseph first joined the Highlanders as head coach in 2011 from Wellington where he coached the capital city side to their first Ranfurly Shield win in 26 years.
In 2015 he famously led the Highlanders to it's one and only championship victory, before moving to Japan to lead the Brave Blossoms World Cup programme in 2017.
The 2019 World Cup in Japan was a phenomenal success under his guidance and the home team captured the imagination of rugby followers around the world and ignited the tournament for the hosts.
Playing a fast-paced, high-skilled style of rugby that delivered a quarterfinals spot for the first time in their history, while taking victories against Ireland and Scotland along the way, before falling to the eventual World Cup Champions, South Africa, in the quarter-final.
Joseph is looking forward to a return to his hometown.
"I view the role as a great opportunity to give back to the club and the region that means so much to me. I did my study at the University of Otago, played for Otago and my family have enjoyed being raised and schooled in Dunedin."
Ben Smith and Nasi Manu hold the Super Rugby trophy aloft after the Highlanders historic win. Photo: Photosport
Joseph will be able to draw on his past experiences of getting the best out of a playing group and coaching team.
"I guess there are some similarities between the Highlanders and Japan. When I first started with the Highlanders they were on a bit of a lean run but over time we were able to connect with the community and put together a successful team and coaching group. I can see no reason why that cannot be repeated.
"It was a bit the same when I first came to Japan, I knew we would have to galvanise the public behind the Brave Blossoms for the World Cup tournament to be a real success inJapan. The key to that was always going to be a lot of hard work and a team playing a brand of rugby that folks could be proud of and excited by."
Highlanders chairman Peter Kean says the franchise is "fortunate" to have Joseph back in Dunedin.
"His accomplishments with the Highlanders and then in Japan have seen him become a sought-after coach in world rugby. His experience will no doubt be a significant boost to our rugby programme and young coaching team".
New Zealand Rugby Manager of Professional Rugby Simon Simmers said: "To have someone of Jamie's vast experience not only return to New Zealand but commit long-term to the Highlanders and New Zealand Rugby is a real coup.
"Jamie is widely recognised as one of the most astute coaching minds in the game and we have no doubt he will influence and enhance the strength of rugby down south and further connect the Highlanders to their passionate fan base."
-RNZ