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.

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.’’

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