Jamie Joseph backs Dave Rennie after losing All Blacks coach race

Jamie Joseph says he is disappointed to miss out on the All Blacks head coaching job but has praised the selection process and backed Dave Rennie to succeed in the role.

Joseph, the Highlanders coach, was considered a leading contender for the top job after Scott Robertson’s departure, but New Zealand Rugby yesterday confirmed Rennie as the new All Blacks coach.

Joseph said the selection process had been a positive experience.

“I felt it was a tight race. The process was really good, really thorough. You’ve got to commend New Zealand Rugby for providing that kind of process.”

New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Joseph said he had received feedback from NZ Rugby about the decision but declined to discuss the details publicly.

“That kind of feedback is really important for me personally because it gives me direction where to go next,” he said.

“Coaching is a learning job, so you’re learning all the time.”

Joseph said he had also been in contact with Rennie after the announcement.

He said he had also received strong support from family and others since the decision was made.

“The first message was from Dave Rennie. That’s the kind of quality the All Blacks have. I’ve got no doubt he’ll do well.”

Highlanders' coach Jamie Joseph is disappointed but upbeat after missing out on the All Blacks coach role. Photo / Derek Morrison

“I’ve had so many messages. I’m from a big family and there’s been a lot of support for me and my family.”

Despite missing out this time, Joseph said he had not given up on potentially coaching the All Blacks in the future.

“You never know what’s around the corner,” he said.

“A month ago I was getting ready for a campaign with the Highlanders and then something quite surprising happened.”

Joseph said he remained committed to the Highlanders and was focused on the team’s Super Rugby campaign.

“I think it’s important that the players next door understand that.”

Joseph said the speculation around the All Blacks’ job had created some distraction for the Highlanders but praised his coaching staff for maintaining the team’s focus.

”There was a lot of publicity in the last month, so to be able to put it to bed and just really focus on the rest of the season for the Highlanders is basically what I’m up for,” he said.

“I’ll have to commend the coaching team. There’s a lot of experience next door and the players have been really well looked after.”

The Highlanders opened the season with a win but have since suffered back-to-back losses to the Chiefs and Reds.

Joseph said he was eager to turn the team’s attention fully back to rugby ahead of Saturday’s match against the Western Force.

“We had a good start to the season and feel a little bit disappointed, I guess, for the players because the Chiefs match was really tight and a couple of crucial errors at the wrong time gave that game away in our view.

“Then we had a hard one against the Reds, you know, conditions were different, travel etc. So this week is really important that we just get our campaign back on track.”

Joseph said returning to the weekly rhythm of preparing for matches had helped put the All Blacks decision behind him.

“Getting on with things is important. If it was my children that I was talking about, I’d be saying, you get on with life. Move forward.”

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.