It is now ten years since the Highlanders achieved their one and only Super Rugby triumph, overturning the odds by defeating the favoured Hurricanes at their ‘Cake-Tin’ fortress in Wellington. New Zealand’s habitual underdogs won 21-14 in the 2015 final.
Their coach in that game was uncompromising ex-All Black loose forward Jamie Joseph, and the same man has returned to his old stomping grounds in the current iteration of Super Rugby Pacific. It is as if Joseph was made to mentor the understated and underestimated; the teams who have it all to prove, the little guys, those who tend to be regarded as rugby’s equivalent of collateral damage.
After leading the Highlanders to Super Rugby success, Joseph moved on to coach quite literally the smallest top-tier nation in international rugby at the 2019 World Cup. Under his auspices, the Brave Blossoms reached the quarter-finals of that tournament for the first time in their history, before bowing out to eventual winners South Africa. A brief fling with the ill-fated Sunwolves Super Rugby franchise asterisked his time with the Japanese national side, before the circle closed with a reunion with his first love in the South Island.
Scott Robertson’s recruitment of no fewer than three sitting Super Rugby Pacific head coaches to his first All Blacks coaching panel opened up space for a return home of the wild geese; for men enriched by their experiences overseas, such as Vern Cotter at the Blues and Joseph in Dunedin.
Razor’s appointment also broke the padlock of previous succession planning, where a head coach inevitably handed the baton on to one of his assistants who had been groomed for the job. There are no more closed shops now, and men such as Cotter and Joseph can realistically hope to climb to the summit and the top job in the country again.
Joseph’s homecoming was as natural as it gets. If you split him in half, you would find the Otago colours of navy blue and gold inside. He learned his trade at the local university, he played for Otago, and his family was raised and educated in Dunedin.
One year as the nominal head of rugby, blindfolded and feeling his way around in the dark allies of administrative red tape, was enough. Joseph is now back where he belongs, donning the tracksuit and out in the fresh air of the training paddock.
The Highlanders were ripe for a Joseph makeover. They only won six of their 14 games in 2024 and were being targeted as an easy-beat. Traditionally, the franchise has always had a smaller catchment area than the other four franchises in the lower part of the South Island, so ‘Moneyball’-type pick-ups at the unheralded end of the market are at a premium.
Joseph and the man he replaced as head coach [Clarke Dermody] badly needed to unearth the ‘sleepers’ in a market where clubs are identifying and contracting promising young talent far earlier, and Super Rugby squad sizes have increased significantly from the comparable level ten years ago.
The battle for talent has never been fiercer, and Joseph has not been helped by an enormous haemorrhage of players from the Highlanders squad over the past two years, ranging from ‘old dependables’ such as Marty Banks, Scott Gregory, Mitch Hunt, Josh Dickson and Josh Bekhuis; to men mentioned in distant All Black dispatches, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Billy Harmon and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u; to players of established All Black stature in Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell.
Nothing epitomized the trauma of the blood-letting as well as the loss of not only ‘Nugget’ Smith – for so long the best scrum-half on planet rugby – but the man who had been painstakingly groomed to replace him, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, at one and the same time. It is hard to come back from that, but the ride to redemption via recruitment is already under way.
Back in 2015, Joseph had a workmanlike pack of forwards, and an outstanding set of backs quite capable of trading blows with the likes of Beauden Barrett, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder in that grand final.
The stars may just be starting to align once again, and the timing for another improbable tilt at the title could be ripe: for Josh Hohneck, Nasi Manu, and Ash and Elliot Dixon up front, read star prop Ethan De Groot, veteran ex-Crusader Mitch Dunshea and young Dutch tyro Fabian Holland. For ‘Nugget’, Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo and Malakai Fekitoa behind, read Taine Robinson, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens; Caleb Tangitau and the two Jona[h]’s on the left edge, Lowe and Nareki; a young sensation in Finn Hurley at the back. Sewing it all together, the massive physical and psychological bedrock of Timoci Tavatavanawai in the middle.
Joseph and Dermody have done their due diligence, they have made their Moneyball calls and they are in the process of discovering they are right. They have a typical Highlanders team of potentially high quality on their hands. The transformation of Tavatavanawai from a powerful, if one-dimensional bullocking wing with Moana Pasifika to a quality ‘triple threat’ first five-eighth and team leader in the South Island exemplifies the change. It has to be seen, to be fully believed.
Hurley and Tangitau may have provided most of the attacking pyrotechnics against the Blues, but it was Tavatavanawai who was the main man when the game was on the line, with prop Dan Lienert-Brown off the field on a red card for the final 23 minutes. ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ the saying goes, and Timoci is already proving he belongs in the company of the new super-sized breed of world-class inside centres which includes Bundee Aki, Jonathan Danty, Damian de Allende, Levani Botia and Andre ‘the Giant’ Esterhuizen.
Tavatavanawai is one of the new Monsters of the Midway, and you quickly learn to give them a wide berth. He has the forward-type size and power to do the basic ball-carrying duties in heavy traffic as well as the fabulous five above, as he amply proved playing against his new club for Moana Pasifika.
The revelation so far this season has been the length and intelligence of his kicking game, which is superior to all the other members of the quintet bar Esterhuizen. This 50/22 in the first round against the Waratahs was no fluke.
The massive morale boost for the Highlanders after they went down to 14 men was sparked by a quickfire sequence of breakdown pilfer, followed by a tapped penalty and a 50/22 from the boot of the big man.
Once again, of the phenomenal five only Esterhuizen would have been capable of conceiving and executing all three actions, one after another.
The primary feature that group has in common is all are expert ‘jackals’ after the tackle – as good as a David Pocock or George Smith, as good as any true-blue number seven in his prime.
Just like fellow Fijian Botia [who has played international rugby at both seven and 12], Timoci could probably operate as efficiently in the back-row as he does at 12. Towards the end of the game, he got the chance as a number eight at the base of the Landers’ undermanned scrum.
Joseph has done his share of the heavy lifting in his coaching career. He knows how to pull a team wilting under the disregarded underdog label up by its bootlaces and, in two of three cases at least, how to make it a contender.
He understands what it takes to meld a group of disparate personalities, often from very different cultural backgrounds, together under one umbrella with a single sense of purpose. The Highlanders recruitment drive after a gush of departures has been nothing short of outstanding, and the new group has all the successful Highlander hallmarks: tough and tenacious up front, a colourful, effusive balloon of youthful talent behind.
The man in the middle pulling front and back together is a Fijian converted from wing to second five-eighth, Timoci Tavatavanawai. He has already revealed hitherto dormant or unsuspected abilities which will make him a contender for the national side at 12, and that will do no harm to Joseph’s credentials as a future coach of the All Blacks. As Sir John Kirwan explained on an old edition of Sky Sport’s The Breakdown:
“I think Jamie has the potential to be an All Blacks coach – and the next All Blacks coach. He’s ambitious and I think he’s always been ambitious. [He] has had his [overseas] experience, he’s coming home and I think it’s great.”
Kirwan added a jocular, patronising pat on the head for his interlocutor Jeff Wilson: “I’m pleased for your Highlanders, because you need something, son.” There could be no better reply than Joseph’s own words, “You get lucky as a coach, sometimes you are blessed with just the right timing, you know?”
Joseph is a great coach and a great mentor, that’s obvious.
Robertson was chosen almost two years ago to lead the All Blacks, and it was a choice that a large number of fans fully supported. I was one of them.
And 2024 has been a disappointing first year in charge. Ultimately, not so much because of the results, but more because of Razor’s wait-and-see approach, which no one had imagined to be this extreme.
I really hope he will be more innovative in 2025. Because the talented players are there, it’s just a matter of picking them up and trusting them.
And if Razor doesn’t make the grade by the end of the year, the NZRU will need to part ways with him. New Zealand rugby has great potential, and it would be such a shame to waste it like this.
In that case, Joseph would be at the top of the list to take the job.
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I’m puzzled as to why Cam Millar has been passed over in favour of Taine Robinson. Do you see something I don’t?
I don’t know much about Millar, but from what I’ve seen of Robinson he could turn out to be a player.
Great article but I have to disagree on Smith being the best scrummie on the planet. He played about 80% of his career behind the best pack on the planet and the best team on the planet. He played at the same time as other great scrummies who would have performed the same, if not better, than him, if they played behind that pack. Only in the Land of the White Fern is he regarded as the best. Not in the land of the Springbok or the British Isles. Careful of overplaying your hand!! Just saying…
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Big Jim, or The Difference, is still a bit of an enigma isn’t he. I haven’t heard what sort of contract he’s on with the Highlanders, whether as one of their foreigners or whether he has qualified to be able to declare for New Zealand.
From the looks of him I doubt he’s been a winger before plying his trade in NZ. I like that he’s moved off the wing, he was the best in SR for two seasons but nothing further seemed to be about, so I’d imagine there was some stereotyping going on about what a winger needs to do. He played in the midfield last year for Tasman, and while he looked comfortable it merely seemed to be a matter of balance for the side, they still only got the contributions from him they would have expected on the wing. Moving in a further spot for the Highlanders I can see his touch’s are already up by a third on last year, with most stats, meters carried being the exception, up just as substantially.
If Timoci really is playing heads up rugby and not just kick and hoping, he already would look to have more vision than most other NZ midfielders. If he and Finn look to hone their short game together it would become quite the force. You have a feeling that being promoted to the leadership group is only going to get the best out of him and give him the confidence to reach his potential.
What I did not expect when envisioning this move was for him and Tele’a, along with Fabian Holland and co, to be so greedy and tireless taking away meters from attackers with a good line push. I doubt we’ll see Blues as thoroughly stopped as that again, with or without Beauden Barrett in the side.
I also wouldn’t throw away the All Blacks succession planning, it just needs to get tougher. Jamie would ensure the same apathy of previous regimes wouldn’t repeat and be a great addition to Razor’s when he starts to get really busy towards Rugby World Cup time.
He has stated he wants to be an AB and he is qualified already. He went to NZ in 2017. Its a funny story about his arrival in NZ as he thought he was signed to a school in Christchurch but was actually signed to a club in Blenheim. He stuck his head down and is now a Tasman Mako legend having been part of their first ever NPC win.
Poster above reckons he wants to be an AB JW.
He played like a real leader at the crux of the game and there is no reason to believe that would not translate at a higher level. His involvements went up immediately.
I think the selection of Razor means the ‘passing of the torch’ to a near neighbour in the coaching group has stopped for good. Which gives both Cotter and Joseph a better shot.
“Tavatavanawai is one of the new Monsters of the Midway”. Great handle for this breed of centre. Some of them have the monster looks too, fearsome physical specimens.
Most interesting article on an epic win. Thanks, Nick.
Cheers Miz!
Great stuff Nick! Everyone is going on about Tavatavanawai but you’ve given the fullest picture of his softer skills and, uniquely, how he compares to the other big 12s in world rugby.
I don’t know how Razor would view him as I’ve been mystified by how Robertson has underutilised Jordie’s skillset. My instinct is that he’d value the hard running above everything else but he really seems to love his incumbent centre partnership.
Fewer people are talking about Holland in the same game but apparently his tackle and breakdown numbers were very high and I loved the bloody nosed lineout steal in his red zone against Patrick Tuipulotu. He looks a ready made test tighthead lock - I’d want him on the bench against France.
I guess Razor would obviously use his power, but it’s the kikcing game that in intriguing as that would take pressure off whoever he chooses at 10.
I haven’t looked at Fabian Holland in any depth but he is undoubtedly the biggest physical specimen in NZ since the Guzzler!
Razor got him into the Crusaders environment apparently. His work rate in contact would have to be his biggest asset, his point of difference is that low center of gravity, it makes him immeasurably harder to deal with.
Holland was just as tiresome, you just watch him and he’s eating meters into his oppositions line and just wants to man handle them. Going to be very interesting where his game goes! Still a fair bit early for the top team imo :s
I have read a fair bit about Holland recently, JD. So watched him carefully in the game. A very tidy performance, just a good hard working forward. And yes, on the bench against France. Pity it looks as though France won’t send their best players. I would like to see Holland and Flament on the pitch together….Holland could learn a lot from the Frenchman.
Well, if Razor and Co spend another year only giving youth a proper go when there’s injuries to the undroppable ‘leadership group’, and finish the season with another 71% win ratio….then Joseph might get a call.
Its certainly a frustration us Kiwi fans are going thru. We all see the talent but it doesnt get chosen.
We’re a long way from that outcome right now JH!
Odd article. 1.”…but the man who had been painstakingly groomed to replace him, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, at one and the same time.” TeToiroaTahuriorangi was never a Highlander so how does this make sense. 2. “The transformation of Tavatavanawai from a powerful, if one-dimensional bullocking wing with Moana Pasifika to a quality ‘triple threat’ first five-eighth…” Tamatavanawai has not played at “first five”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2023%E2%80%9324_Super_Rugby_transfers_(New_Zealand) see Highlanders re: TTT. He was on the Landers books but didn’t play - but I suspect you knew that already.😅
‘First’ should read ‘second’ on the edit.
He hasn’t been named in the matchday squad yet but another player I’m looking forward to seeing play is winger Michael Manson reputed to be the fastest player in NZ rugby.
The Highlanders back three was a problem area for so long, Joseph will have the kind of selection headache all coaches love when everyone is fit and available.
I only became aware of Hurley and Manson in last years NPC watching Otago and Southland respectively but noticed they both possessed the gift of speed.
“I only became aware of Hurley and Manson in last years NPC watching Otago and Southland”
I first heard of Hurley from the grandson of friends, Sam. The lad comes over each Christmas from Dunedin, and we have a good chat about sport, always gravitating to rugby in the end. He told me in 2023 to watch out for Hurley, who was a couple of years above him at Otago Boys High. Said he was just an unbelievable schoolboy talent.
Developing well, and hope he stays in the starting 15, or the 23 the whole season.
Manson I have not seen….have not watched enough NPC this past season. Can’t find any utube stuff on him.
Thanks for mentioning, I don’t know anything about Manson, but if he’s that quick it could be some combo with Hurley at the back and one of Nareki or Tangitau on the left.
Cheers NB, nice to have a Highlanders focused article. Tavatavanawai is some player revealing his kicking, passing and leadership skills. It is interesting what his history is with Super Rugby. I think he was in the Crusaders set up playing in Marlborough then he went south to train with the Highlanders in 2021 but again was ignored and let go. I find that odd as back then it would of been obvious he was a player with great power and speed.
On the Highlanders being an underdog that only really came in just before Joseph began his first tenure. The first decade of Super they were often a semi finalist or one of the better NZ teams.
Tavatavanawai is from Blenheim in Marlborough same place JJ is from. Plays for the Central club there and won a few club championships with them which brought him into the focus of the Makos development coaches. Was a standout in his debut and repeat Mako seasons. Got overlooked by the Crusaders so got picked up by Moana Pasifika. Playing for MP he got approached and turned down Fiji as he wants to be an AB apparently
“The first decade of Super they were often a semi finalist or one of the better NZ teams.” Yes,OM, I clearly recall how good they were when Tony Brown was at his peak. A really great side to watch. They played exhilarating rugby.
I always liked the Landers OM, so it was nice to be able to write a spoitve article about them.
Timoci reminds me a lot of Matthieu Bastareaud, but fitter with more speed and that kicking game! If that is a true comp he will be an AB without doubt, and a dominant player in his position.
From what I have seen of Tavatavanawai at 12 he has been amazing power speed skill and looks to have a very astute rugby mind.
The Highlanders seemed to respond to Joseph’s statement when asked about coaching the Wallabies when he said, “I’m a Highlander”. Funny that.
He knows how to tap in to that inner mind.
Nobody respects a mercenary ……
“Nobody respects a mercenary ……”. I do, OJ. They been important from the dawn of time. Lot of descended from mercenaries too !
He was never going to say “yeah, i’ll be putting my hand up for the Wallabies head coaching role” whileconducting a live in game interview during a Highlanders game.
The Brave Blossoms have responded well to both Eddie Jones and JJ as coaches, so very clearly there is no problem with them accepting instruction from a foreigner. Quite the opposite.
The Japanese side seemed to respond well to him
Lol, no. He’s previously said he’s taking a couple years off from international coaching to spend more time with his family. You can bet he’d go for that Wallabies job if he was looking.