The man who led the Highlanders to Super Rugby glory in 2015 will return to the franchise early next year.
Former Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph is returning on a four-year deal.
The 53-year-old former All Black, who will step down as Japan coach following this year’s Rugby World Cup in France, is a highly regarded head coach but will take his career in slightly different direction on his return.
He has accepted a newly created position as head of rugby and will take charge in early 2024.
The role involves leading the Highlanders rugby programme, including recruitment and retention of players, supporting the coaching group and mentoring head coach Clarke Dermody.
Joseph told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he was thrilled to be "coming home".
"But also I’m coming back to the club that has given me so much as a coach ... It just seems right."
Joseph joined the Highlanders as head coach in 2011.
Success did not come quickly and the 2013 season was particularly tough.
But two years later he achieved the unthinkable, really, leading the Highlanders to a Super Rugby title.
He was able to transfer that success to international rugby when he moved to Japan to lead the Brave Blossoms World Cup programme in 2017.
Under his guidance the Japan national team flourished, reaching the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
Head of rugby is new role for Joseph.
He will not be out in the field directing the players, but rather working in the background to build the platform for success.
