Gutted Jamie Joseph clarifies his position on All Blacks job process and issues ‘never know’ verdict
Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph and new All Blacks boss Dave Rennie (inset).
Highlanders boss Jamie Joseph has spoken publicly for the first time after Dave Rennie was preferred to him for the All Blacks’ head coaching role.
This was the second time that Joseph has been overlooked for that position after Scott Robertson beat him to the job to take over the coaching reins from Ian Foster after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Contrary to reports which said he was ‘miffed’ with the manner in which New Zealand Rugby (NZR) was conducting its recruitment process for the All Blacks‘ head coaching position, Joseph said he had no qualms with how the governing body handled proceedings.
‘I felt it was a tight race’
“There was disappointment, I felt it was a tight race. It was really thorough,” Joseph told reporters in Dunedin on Thursday. “There was a number of things me and Rens went through in terms of the process.”
Despite it being the second time that he was involved in a two-horse race for the All Blacks job, Joseph revealed that the recruitment process was somewhat unfamiliar to him.
“It was very different to the last time,” he said. “And you have got to commend NZ Rugby for providing that kind of process.
“It certainly was a first for me. I think Dave getting the job is a real credit to him. He is a qualified and quality coach who has been to a lot of places, so I wish him well.
“In my view it was a tight race, guys, it was a thorough process and that’s all I can say really.”
The 56-year-old revealed that he did receive feedback from NZR regarding why Rennie was preferred to him but would not go into too much detail about it as it’s “obviously private”.
“That kind of feedback is important to me personally because it gives me direction where to go next,” explained Joseph. “Coaching is a learning job, so you are learning all the time.”
Despite losing out on the All Blacks coaching position twice now, Joseph admitted that he could apply for it again in the future, saying: “You never know what’s around the corner.”
He feels it’s important that the All Blacks find an excellent attack coach after they lost the services of Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland during Robertson’s tenure as head coach.
“I think what is evident is there needed to be a high-quality attack coach,” said Joseph.
High praise for Dave Rennie
Although he missed out on New Zealand’s top coaching job again, Joseph feels the All Blacks are in good hands under Rennie.
“Rens is high quality, and they are going to go well under Dave,” he added.
Rennie said on Wednesday that Joseph had contacted him when he found out that he lost out on the All Blacks position again.
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“He messaged me immediately after he found out this morning – which shows the class of the man – congratulating me,” Rennie told reporters in Auckland after his appointment on Wednesday.
“I was hoping his interview was yesterday morning, with mine yesterday afternoon, so we could have a beer last night just to catch up.
“I really appreciate his message.”
Meanwhile, NZR chairman David Kirk revealed that he called Joseph on Wednesday morning to tell him he would not be the All Blacks’ head coach.
“He took that news very graciously and had very positive comments to say about Dave as a great appointment,” said Kirk.
“He is an excellent coach and someone who is doing great work in New Zealand Rugby, and we’re looking forward to having him around the New Zealand Rugby environment at all sorts of levels.
“He’s a wonderful man and a great coach. I do want to pay tribute to him.”
Joseph will continue in his role as the Highlanders’ head coach and is preparing his team for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Western Force in Dunedin.
