Jamie Joseph reafirms his desire to coach the All Blacks
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Joseph was tapped by NZ Rugby to coach the All Blacks XV side.
All Blacks job still the dream for Highlanders coach.
Majority of ABs XV squad will pick itself but NPC standouts are under consideration.
The All Blacks job or another head coaching role at international level is on the horizon for Jamie Joseph in 2028.
Joseph was confirmed as All Blacks XV coach on Tuesday and will take the All Blacks’ development team to Europe for three games, marking a return to the international stage after two Rugby World Cups with Japan.
The post keeps Joseph in contact with test rugby and the 55-year-old made it clear that is where his ambition still lies.
“I got rang up by New Zealand Rugby and was asked if I was interested and I just think it's a great opportunity,” Joseph said of the All Blacks XV role he will occupy for the next two years.
“I kind of miss that level of coaching and getting involved back with New Zealand Rugby is a privilege.
“So, I'm happy to be on board.
“I came back from Japan for family reasons, and then this opportunity to coach the Highlanders was perfect because I'm based in Dunedin.
“But coaching at that level [international] is the epitome for a rugby coach.
“So, this is an opportunity that's presented itself and I’m really looking forward to it.”
When asked specifically about the All Blacks job, Joseph said: “I think every coach in New Zealand wants to be part of that picture.
“But really my focus at the moment is three games for the New Zealand XV, and I've got to get this Highlander team sorted out.
“So, that's my priority. And if I do well there, then who knows?”
The All Blacks XV will name their squad on October 14 and assemble on October 24 before playing three games in November.
It’s a tight schedule that Joseph said would only permit “two or three training sessions” before the first game against the Barbarians in London.
The set-piece will be a major focus, especially when the All Blacks XV face England ‘A’ in the second game of the tour, while the makeup of the squad will offer plenty of insights into who the All Blacks selectors view as next in line.
Injuries would play a role in who makes the squad, but Joseph said there was already a fairly clear idea about who was going to make the cut.
“I think 25 of those players kind of look after themselves and then there's the last half-a-dozen to a dozen players - we've got a few injuries in that group of players.
“We've also got some players that have surprised us throughout the NPC and we feel that they could have an opportunity.
“And there are players in Super Rugby teams that have been injured and show real potential to the All Black coaches.
'So there's going to be a real mixture and a real balance within that team.“
Joseph name-checked Otago flanker Lucas Casey as one player who has enjoyed a breakout NPC season, but noted that he could be competing for a spot against the likes of Tasman’s Ethan Blackadder.
“Without giving too much away, all of those players have been identified as potential players but I guess you’ll have to wait and see.“
Joseph also confirmed that the Highlanders were close to finalising their squad for 2026, with only “a couple of spots to go”.