Ben Smith and Aaron Smith both scored tries and made a major contribution to the Highlanders' 29-21 Super 15 win over the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
''I was really proud of those two guys,'' Joseph said.
''I said at halftime everyone was stepping up. It was the first game of the season but, to me, those two led by their performances.
''When that happens things tend to fall in place for us, especially in the first 40 minutes.
''The first half was great. We had a plan and it worked out all right. A couple of things fell into our hands but that is what happens when you create pressure and show a bit of character. Things bounce your way.
''The leaders in our team have done a great job and have made sure the players understand what it is to play for the Highlanders, what the people are like down here, what they respond to, and what type of rugby they will follow.
''You saw a bit of that out there tonight.''
The victory ensured the Highlanders would retain the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy, at least until the teams meet again on March 29.
It may have been a much-needed win, after last season's collapse, but Joseph was not getting too carried away.
The players would also keep their feet on the ground with a big match coming up against the Chiefs in Hamilton this Saturday.
''We'll take the five points and then have to go up there [Hamilton] next week and go and play the best team in the competition.
''The motivation levels to play next week will be there because we are playing the Chiefs and that is great. But we just have to ice up properly, prepare well and pick the right team for the opposition.''
Lock Brad Thorn was forced off halfway through the first half with a popped rib and his immediate future is looking cloudy.
Gareth Evans was forced into lock late, after Jarrad Hoeata cramped up, and Joseph said he was proud of the performance of the young loose forward.
The loosies turned the ball over to upset the Blues' flow, which Joseph said really helped the Highlanders. Pressure on Blues halfback Piri Weepu also helped the home side.
Co-captain Ben Smith said getting a win early would be a big boost for the belief of the team.
''A win builds that confidence and it shows that when we get our structures right we can be dangerous. But we are up against it next week, playing a good Chiefs team,'' Smith said.
''It was just simple stuff really. The forwards carried well, got us over the game line and our backs implemented well.''
In other games in the full opening weekend, the Cheetahs beat the Bulls 15-9 in a tryless match in Bloemfontein, the Reds beat the Brumbies 27-17 in Canberra, the Sharks beat the Hurricanes 27-9 in Durban, and the Lions beat the Stormers 34-10 in Johannesburg. Last night, the Waratahs beat the Western Force 43-21 in Sydney.
• The Crusaders development team beat the Highlanders development team 48-24 in Timaru on Saturday after leading 21-10 at halftime.