Rugby: Joseph ready to blossom in Japan

Jamie Joseph. Photo / Getty Images

Jamie Joseph has agreed to coach Japan from next year and Mark Hammett will take charge of the Sunwolves in the next Super Rugby series.

Rugby sources in Japan say the deals are definite with Hammett's appointment expected to be ratified later today while Joseph's choice may be officially revealed later in the week.

Joseph played as a lock-loose forward for the All Blacks at the 1995 RWC and Japan at the 1999 tournament before starting his coaching career with Wellington, the Maori All Blacks then the Highlanders from 2011.

He led the side to their first Super Rugby title last year and is contracted until the end of the 2016 campaign.

Several Japanese rugby officials visited Joseph last week to negotiate details about him succeeding Eddie Jones as the country's international coach through to the 2019 RWC in Japan.

"Negotiations have arrived at their objective," the Nikkan Sports newspaper was told.

Joseph played for Sanix in Japan, can speak Japanese and fits the JRFU criteria about hiring a coach with international experience and an understanding of the rugby culture in Japan.

One of the sticking points would have been that Japan's next tests are against Scotland next June when Joseph is still coaching the Highlanders towards the final stages of the Super Rugby round robin games.

However, Super Rugby takes a break in June and the Highlanders resume against the Kings in South Africa. Joseph may have been able to negotiate a mid-series release for a few weeks to accommodate his contract and Japanese hopes.

Meanwhile Hammett, who beat Joseph for the Hurricanes job in 2011, has been ratified as coach of the Sunwolves. They are unlikely to make the playoffs in their debut year so Hammett will then be able to work as assistant coach of the Tasman Makos in the national provincial series.

Veteran lock Hitoshi Ono has signed on for the Sunwolves after the 37-year-old was part of the RWC squad and wanted another challenge late in his career.

Two other RWC squad members, Yoshikazu Fujita and Kenki Fukuoka, have declined offers to be part of the Sunwolves to prepare to be part of Japan's sevens squad for the Rio Olympics.

Two Rebels players who went to the RWC, Shota Horie and Keita Ingagki, have signalled their intentions to play for the Sunwolves along with wing Akihito Yamada, Amanaki Mafi and Andrew Durutalo.