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Agence France-Presse

Jamie Joseph said on Monday he will stay on as head coach of Japan through the next Rugby World Cup in 2023, a decision that rules him out of the vacant All Blacks coaching role.
Joseph, who led Japan to their first World Cup quarter-final last month, said in a statement: “I have great expectations for rugby in Japan and I’m very honoured that I can lead the team towards the next World Cup.”
Joseph was among 26 New Zealanders invited by the All Blacks to replace Steve Hansen, who stepped down at the end of the World Cup this month.
The former All Black oversaw a campaign by Japan that exceeded all expectations and lit up the tournament – the first World Cup held in Asia and outside the traditional rugby heartlands.

Japan beat Ireland 19-12 and Scotland 28-21 to top their pool and lift their world ranking to an all-time high of sixth.
They eventually lost in the quarter-finals against South Africa, the tournament’s eventual winners.
I decided to choose the path of taking on a challenge again with the Japan team. I hope to make the team even stronger
Jamie Joseph, Japan head coach
But the Brave Blossoms’ performances captured the hearts of fans across the nation and raised the profile of rugby in a baseball-mad country.
Japan Rugby Football Union president Shigetaka Mori said the association hoped to see Joseph take the team even further.

“I hope he will make the team stronger in the next four years. I look very much forward to seeing how strong the Japan team will be under the leadership of Mr Joseph,” Mori said.
“We highly value his capability, which took the Japan team to the world’s top level in just three years.”
Joseph said he was proud of having led the Blossoms to their best World Cup showing, but warned “we have many more issues to tackle if we look ahead to the future”.
“That’s why I decided to choose the path of taking on a challenge again with the Japan team. I hope to make the team even stronger.”
As a player, the versatile forward Joseph played 20 tests for the All Blacks, mainly at lock but also at flanker.
He made his debut in 1992 and was a member of the New Zealand squad that lost the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final to South Africa in Johannesburg.
He subsequently left New Zealand for a playing career in Japan that eventually saw him represent the Brave Blossoms in 10 tests, including at the 1999 World Cup.
Joseph returned to New Zealand to begin his coaching career, taking charge of the Maori All Blacks and the Otago Highlanders in Super Rugby.
He returned to Japan in 2016 to coach the national team, initially with a contract through to the end of the 2019 World Cup.


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Rugby World Cup 2019

Jamie Joseph to take Japan to next Rugby World Cup, ruling out All Blacks role

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has opted to stay on with the Brave Blossoms instead of pursuing the vacant All Blacks post. Photo: AFP

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph (L) hugs Japan Rugby Football Union President Shigetaka Mori ahead of a World Rugby award ceremony in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2019 following the conclusion the previous day of the Rugby World Cup in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph arrives for the World Rugby Awards 2019 ceremony in Tokyo on November 3, 2019. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

Japan 2019 officially kicked into touch, now it’s off to France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Japanese fans cheer their favourite teams during the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama. Photo: Reuters

Fans of South Africa watch the Rugby World Cup 2019 Final between England and South Africa, at International Stadium Yokohama, Japan, at the at the Loftus Park fan zone on November 2, 2019. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

Fans await the start of the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

England fans await the start of the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

England (white) and South Africa players line up before a Rugby World Cup final on Nov. 2, 2019, in Yokohama, near Tokyo. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby World Cup: all hail England as fans in Japan left in awe after huge win over New Zealand

England secured a famous win over the world champions in Japan. Photo: EPA

Photo: Tim Noonan

Sport

Rugby


Joseph decided against leaving his post to pursue the vacant head coach role at his native New Zealand



Joseph decided against leaving his post to pursue the vacant head coach role at his native New Zealand.
