Joseph opts to stay with Japan

Jamie Joseph has chosen to coach Japan again, opting against contesting the All Blacks coaching job to replace Steve Hansen.

The Japan Rugby Football Union announced yesterday that Joseph’s contract to coach the Brave Blossoms was being extended until the end of of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

‘‘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 said.

The main contenders for the All Blacks job now seem to be Ian Foster, Scott Robertson and Dave Rennie, though a tweet from broadcaster Scotty Stevenson last Friday seemed to suggest Rennie was out of contention.

Jamie Joseph, right

Joseph joins other high profile coaches to remove themselves from contention, including Warren Gatland, Joe Schmidt and John Mitchell.

Tony Brown, who has been his assistant with Japan, has indicated in the past week he would stay loyal to Joseph, whether he opted for New Zealand or Japan.

Brown had been sought by both Foster and Robertson as a member of their coaching teams for their bid to lead the All Blacks.

Joseph and Brown led Japan to their first World Cup quarterfinal last month.

They are understood to be among the 26 applicants invited by New Zealand Rugby to interview for the job to replace Hansen.

Joseph said he felt he still had more to give to Japan.

‘‘We achieved the goal of being among the top eight countries in the World Cup, but there are still more issues to be tackled,’’ he said on the Japan Rugby website.

‘‘To that end, I chose the path to challenge with the Japanese national team again. I want to strengthen the team.

‘‘I have a great sense of expectation in Japan of rugby, I think are very pleased to be able to lead the team for the next Rugby World Cup.’’

Leading international rugby referee Nigel Owens has called for a reduction in the number of player substitutions blighting the test game.

His views follow a similar call from former England centre Jeremy Guscott who believes coaches should only be allowed to make three – instead of the customary eight – substitutions during a match.

Owens felt that might be taking things too far but admitted it was an area of the game that needed attention as rugby looks to kick on from a hugely successful World Cup in Japan.

‘‘I certainly do believe the game will benefit from reducing it to at least five, even four,’’ Owens said.

‘‘By reducing the amount of substitutions, players will become more tired which could create more open space in defences and it could lead to more attacking play.’’

‘‘I have great expectations for rugby in Japan and I’m very honoured that I can lead the team towards the next World Cup.’’