Jamie Joseph was appointed as the new coach of the Wellington Lions at the end of 2007, taking over from Aussie McLean who stepped aside as planned a the end of his one-year in charge to concentrate exclusively on his role as Hurricanes Assistant Coach.
Joseph brought a wealth of playing and coaching experience to his first role in charge of an NPC team, first as an All Black in 30 matches including 20 Tests and then as a player and coach for Japanese team Sanix for several seasons.
The former All Blacks blindside flanker was McLean's assistant coach and part of the successful coaching team which guided the Lions to the NPC final in 2007 and previously was involved as a specialist lineout coach with the team.
Joseph’s first season in charge was an extremely successful one for the Wellington Lions, coaching them to Ranfurly Shield success and to a home NPC final. Under JosephJoseph helped steer the fighting Lions to Shield glory for the first time since 1981, a successful defence against Tasman and to comfortably qualify top for the NPC quarter-finals and beat Taranaki and Southland in the playoffs en-route to hosting the home final against Canterbury. and his assistant Andre Bell, the Lions complemented positive, attacking rugby with determination and steely resolve, a winning formula that saw them win 12 of 14 first class matches played in 2008.
Joseph coached an injury ravaged Lions squad to the final again in 2009, the team losing out to Canterbury whom had also taken the Ranfurly Shield off them earlier in the year. He was then handed the New Zealand Maori coach’s job for the Maori side’s centernary season in 2010, this side beating England and Ireland in a hugely successful campaign.
Next came the Highlanders coaching job, Joseph in part appointed to bring back the passion to southern rugby. This role was confirmed with immediate effect midway through the 2010 ITM Cup and Joseph stepped down from the Lions role, handing the reins to Andre Bell.
Joseph prepared Lions teams to 22 wins in 30 ITM Cup games and his sides scored 898 championship points and 113 tries.
Previously as a player, Joseph made his All Blacks debut at Athletic Park in 1992 against the World XV in the series to mark the centenary of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Later that year he scored a memorable try against the Wallabies in Sydney in a pulsating 26-23 win, while his last Test was on the biggest stage of all in the 1995 World Cup final against South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Following that World Cup he transferred to Sanix and later played for the Japanese Cherry Blossoms at the 1999 World Cup. Seven years on from leaving New Zealand he returned to live in Wellington, spent a season in 2003 playing for Old Boys-University, became a publican and further evolved his coaching.