Joseph named his Highlanders squad yesterday, with 10 new players, and though it is lacking the star power of last year's squad, when All Blacks were thick on the ground, Joseph was keen to stress the side would be looking to regain the culture which it lost last year.
''It is a really well-balanced squad with a good mixture of experience and not necessarily younger guys but guys who are coming in to add their enthusiasm and hunger,'' Joseph said.
''We get confidence from veterans like [Brad] Thorn and [Chris] King in the forward pack, and Nasi Manu at No 8, and with the likes of Ben Smith, Buxton Popoali'i and Patrick Osborne will add up to quite an exciting backline.''
He named Manu and Smith as co-captains, taking over from the dumped Andrew Hore, and said the selection of the captaincy duo was a relatively straightforward decision.
''We looked for the quality we wanted in our leaders. And those two fellas there stand above, clearly, a lot of other players. They play well and are some of our best players.
''They lead by their own actions. They have the respect of the management and playing group. And they are hungry to help us and get the team back on track.
''There were other leadership options out there, such as Thorn and that. But this is a new start for us.''
Joseph was comfortable with the co-captain concept and said both players would make decisions on the field - though he admitted Smith may find that difficult being stationed in the backs.
Smith was being eyed as a centre option for the All Blacks but Joseph said they were looking to use his new co-captain again in the No 15 jersey.
''We look at him first and foremost a fullback. He played at centre last week and that might change things. His versatility adds real value to us as coaches. You would put him in the loose forwards if we had to to get him on the field.''
With seven All Blacks leaving the franchise from 2013, when the side, despite all the star power, could only manage three wins and finished 14th, Joseph was looking to turn over a new leaf.
But he was not looking for a complete revolution.
''Rugby is still pretty simple. What we got wrong [last season] was the balance of the team and subsequently to that was the culture of this team.
''What has been big for this team was the team culture, which you have seen in the Otago team last year and this year and you have seen in this team in the past. That has been a real big reason why the teams have been successful and that is the direction we want to go.''
Other lessons from last year included getting selection right and having coaching resources to help players when the pressure increased.
He admitted expectations were high last season and that impacted on the team and players. That would not be the case this season, though he was still aiming to win every game.
The 32-man squad announced yesterday was, as expected, with young props Kane Hames, from Bay of Plenty, and Argentinian Matias Diaz part of the mix.
The side does not have the undoubted star power of last year but, as last season proved, names on paper do not translate to wins on the scoreboard.
Willie Ripia will contest the first five-eighth position with Lima Sopoaga and Hayden Parker.
Joseph said Hawkes Bay pivot Ihaia West had made a strong case but had left it late to get a run in any Super 15 side.
Along with the 32 named, five players were selected in a wider training group: Otago forwards Craig Millar and Lee Allan, Hawkes Bay hooker Ged Robinson, Hawkes Bay centre Richard Buckman and Waikato utility Trent Renata.
They will train with the squad throughout the season and be available for selection.
The squad will come together to prepare for next year's season, late next month.
Highlanders: 2014 squad
Forwards: Josh Bekhuis, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Matias Diaz, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Ma'afu Fia, Tom Franklin, Kane Hames, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, TJ Ioane, Chris King, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler.
Backs: Kurt Baker, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoali'i, Willie Ripia, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Winston Stanley, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby, Frae Wilson.
Wider training squad: Trent Renata, Craig Millar, Ged Robinson, Richard Buckman, Lee Allan.