Jamie Joseph has announced his intention to step down as Japan manager after the Rugby World Cup in France this fall, local media reported on Wednesday.
“I think it’s the right time for me to retire,” Joseph told local media during a national team training camp in southern Japan, adding that his priority was to prepare for the World Cup.
The 53-year-old New Zealander led the Brave Blossoms to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history, at home four years ago, and will be in charge of the team again when the Mondial-2023 (September 8 – October 28).
But the premier competition of world rugby will mark the end of his seven-and-a-half-year tenure at the helm of Japan.
Joseph was tipped to take charge of the All Blacks, but Scott Robertson was preferred to him in March. He is also said to have been approached by clubs in the Japanese national league. He told AFP last month that “everything is possible” for him after the World Cup.
Japan were placed in Pool D along with England, Argentina, Samoa and Chile. Joseph is aiming for the quarter-finals again after leading Japan to their best ever performance in 2019.
The New Zealander took over from Australian Eddie Jones in 2016. Joseph previously led the New Zealand Highlanders franchise to the Super Rugby title in 2015.
