Joseph is in his fourth year of coaching the Highlanders, and in the final year of a two-year contract.
After an impressive first two years his stock plunged last year, when a star-studded Highlanders team finished 14th, winning just three games.
His future is cloudy and it appears performances over the next couple of months will dictate whether he earns a fifth year in the role.
Joseph brought out the familiar line used by coaches asked to discuss their future reasonably early in the season.
''My focus is solely on the Highlanders and the job at hand . . . It is a tough job. I've just got to get on with it. I'm really enjoying it and the team is a really good team to coach,'' he said.
''I love it down here. I played all my football down here and that is why I came down here to coach.
''Last year was really disappointing because we had grown from pretty much nothing to a pretty good team over two seasons. Though last year wasn't frustrating - it was disappointing. I feel as though we are turning a part of that round already.
''Guys are playing the way we would expect from Highlanders teams in a tough competition.''
He had given no thought to moving overseas at the end of the season, as his sole focus was to get his side properly prepared to take on the Rebels tomorrow night.
Joseph played in Japan to see out his career and still has coaching connections in that country.
He has made five changes to the Highlanders side to take on the Rebels tomorrow night.
Kurt Baker comes into the side on the left wing to replace Patrick Osborne, who has been struggling with an ankle injury and only took a limited part in training this week.
Shaun Treeby will start at second five-eighth in place of Phil Burleigh. Burleigh suffered a bang on his shoulder in the match against the Blues and was to have it scanned yesterday.
There was some concern, as it was the same shoulder he had reconstructed in 2012.
Gareth Evans comes into the starting side on the blindside flank for Elliot Dixon, who moves to the bench. Brad Thorn is dropped from the playing 23 and Joe Wheeler will partner Jarrad Hoeata in the second row.
Chris King moves on to the loosehead side of the scrum and Ma'afu Fia will start at tighthead, as Kane Hames sits out the match because of a suspension.
The Highlanders have named six forwards on the bench. Trent Renata and Fumiaki Tanaka are the only two back reserves.
Highlanders team
To play Rebels
Ben Smith (co-captain), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Kurt Baker, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), Shane Christie, Gareth Evans, Joe Wheeler, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Chris King. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Craig Millar, Matias Diaz, Josh Bekhuis, Elliot Dixon, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata, TJ Ioane.
