Joseph caused a minor surprise when he named Hugh Renton and Timoci Tavatavanawai as new Highlanders co-captains for the Super Rugby Pacific season.
All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot, the only international in the squad and an incumbent co-captain, was thought to be a strong contender for a leadership role.
That he missed out, just a couple of months after a rough end-of-year tour in which he was stood down by the All Blacks for a test then failed to reclaim his No 1 jersey from Tamaiti Williams, could have led to speculation he was on the outer with Joseph, but the coach moved quickly yesterday to clarify the situation.
"The first thing is around, what is good for Ethan?" Joseph said.
"He’s been a starting All Black for the last couple of years, but he lost his job on the recent tour.
"He’s a highly motivated man. But he hasn’t been here. He hasn’t been here all preseason. He comes and goes because he loves the team and he loves the club.
"To support Ethan, I just felt taking responsibility away from him so he can focus on rugby is the most important thing.
"When he’s right, he will come back into our leadership group and support these two boys."
Joseph is a fan of the co-captaincy concept at the Highlanders as Super Rugby is a long haul compared to a test campaign.
"I think with captaincy in the modern game, and all the demands outside of rugby, it takes a lot of energy out of the players.
"Your captains need support. They need support from the coaches but they also need support from a co-captain.
"I feel Super Rugby is more of a marathon. It’s not like test rugby where you play three tests and have three or four months off.
Joseph feels No 8 Renton and winger Tavatavanawai will create a good blend of leadership styles in a diverse team with an average age of about 22.
While Tavatavanawai has only one season for the Highlanders under his belt, it was an outstanding one.
"He has the respect of the players, he’s consistent, and he’s a pretty resilient sort of character and a good role model for the team.
"With leadership, the most important thing is a player who will lead first by his actions, and Jim certainly does that.
"He’s also from a Fijian background, and we’ve got half a dozen Fijian boys in the squad, and a swag of Pacific Island boys and Māori boys."
Renton had plenty of experience and the backing of his team-mates, Joseph said.
"He’s an action man, and we need that as well."
Meanwhile, the Highlanders have suffered their first major injury blow of the new season.
Rising loose forward Oliver Haig will be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.
The All Blacks XV representative sustained a fracture in his right foot at training — he was stood on in a maul — that will require surgery this week.
It is a disappointing blow for Haig, who was the Highlanders' big improver in 2024.
The Highlanders are loaded in the loose forwards with the likes of Sean Withy, TK Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Lui Naeata and temporary replacement Michael Loft all capable of wearing the No 6 jersey.
The bigger issue might be that Haig provides cover for the second row, and the Highlanders have just two specialist locks.
It is likely too soon to elevate young giant Josh Tengblad from the development scheme.
Joseph said he was not looking to bring anyone else into the squad at this stage, and indicated the impressive Howden could be in line for some time at lock.
Off the field, Joseph had a chance last week to meet billionaire investor Charles Gibbon, who has taken a 20% ownership stake in the Highlanders.
"Good fellow. He’s obviously done well, and he’s got something to offer. He’s a true southern man — slow talking, careful guy.
"I guess he’ll assess the situation and at some stage come in and support the team."
