Jamie Joseph

James Whitinui "Jamie" Joseph (born 21 November 1969) is a New Zealand former rugby union player and current rugby union coach. A flanker, Joseph represented Otago at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1992 to 1995. He played 30 matches for the All Blacks including 20 internationals. He later played for Japan.

Joseph was born in Blenheim, New Zealand. His father, Jim Joseph, was a prop for the Marlborough rugby team from 1963 to 1977 and also played for New Zealand Māori. His mother Maude (née MacDonald) is the sister of Iwi and Mugwi MacDonald, the daughter of Manny MacDonald, granddaughter of Jack MacDonald and aunt of Hoani MacDonald, all of whom represented New Zealand Māori. Joseph affiliates to Ngāti Maniapoto through his father and Rangitāne and Ngāti Rārua through his mother. He was educated at Church College and the University of Otago, where he completed a Bachelor of Physical Education majoring in psychology.

Player

Joseph made his debut for Otago in 1989 and played mainly at lock, but by 1991 his more usual position was blindside flanker. He appeared for the New Zealand Colts in 1989 and was first selected for New Zealand Māori in 1991. In all he played 10 matches for the latter team between 1991 and 1994.

Joseph's All Black career spanned 30 matches, including 20 tests, from 1992 to 1995, culminating with the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Joseph saw out the remainder of his career in Japan, playing for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues, and appearing for Japan at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Coach

Joseph was appointed assistant coach of the Wellington Lions in 2003 and took over as head coach in 2008. He continued in that role until three games into the 2010 season, when he was appointed Highlanders coach for the following season. Joseph is contracted to the Highlanders until the end of 2016.

He was assistant coach of New Zealand Māori in 2006, helping the side to victory in the Churchill Cup. Subsequently he was coach of the team between 2010 and 2012.

As the current coach of the Highlanders, Jamie took them to their first ever Super Rugby title in 2015, beating the Hurricanes 21-14.

He also coached the Barbarians in 2015.