Building More Than a Squad: Jamie Joseph's Vision for the 2027 Highlanders

While supporters may think the off-season is a chance for coaches to put their feet up, Jamie Joseph and his management team are still working hard at Highlanders HQ with a focus on recruitment and long-term planning. We caught up with Joseph recently to chat with him about the planning and preparation for the upcoming 2027 season.   

Joseph’s focus is on how he shapes the squad for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, with recruitment now a year-round process. He is constantly planning for both arrivals and departures. That constant movement has created challenges for New Zealand clubs, such as the Highlanders, as local talent is increasingly picked up overseas.  

“There is always a lot of movement. The players are coming and going, so I'm always working around ensuring that the club doesn't get caught short. We're at war with the players leaving the New Zealand system and going elsewhere. So, it is a challenge."

When it comes to recruitment, identifying talented rugby players is only part of the equation. Joseph wants people who can embrace life in the south and contribute to the culture that has defined the Highlanders for decades. As the player market becomes increasingly global, the Highlanders are recruiting from a wider range of backgrounds than ever before. Joseph believes that diversity strengthens the squad, but it also means finding players who can quickly embrace the club and the region. 

“They need to be good rugby players first and foremost, obviously, and then they need to be able to adapt to coming down south.”  

"A lot of these guys are from all over the place these days, more so these days than perhaps five or six years ago. And there's a lot of diversity within the group. We've got an Argentinian guy, we've got the Pacific Islander guys, we’ve got players from all over the world really that we're considering as being part of the Highlanders.” 

That philosophy is reflected in the club's latest signings, with newly selected All Black Josh Jacomb among the key additions ahead of 2027. Joseph says attracting quality players to Dunedin is about more than just offering a contract. It also means giving players confidence in their future.

"If you want quality players and the likes of Josh Jacomb, for example, it’s a two-year deal. We hope that he's really successful in Dunedin playing for the Highlanders and that transfers to team performances."

Jacomb's recent All Blacks selection only reinforces why the Highlanders see him as a key part of their future. Joseph hopes Jacomb's move south is about more than just rugby. His ideal scenario is for recruits to build lasting connections with the region, just as he did when he arrived in Dunedin.  

Alongside Jacomb, recent additions Tamani, Tuitama, Moananu, Pellegrini and the return of Jermaine Ainsley are further examples of the type of players Joseph believes can strengthen both the squad and the culture. 

With the foundations of the 2027 squad continuing to take shape, Joseph's ambitions extend beyond building a talented squad. His goal is to create a group that embraces both the Highlanders jersey and the region it represents. 

Ultimately, Joseph believes the greatest measure of recruitment success is finding players who become part of the region.

“You fall in love with the area, the region and you never leave and become part of the fabric. That’s kind of the perfect situation. Doesn't always work like that, but that's kind of what we're working towards.” 

With the new signings joining a strong group of returning players, including Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai, the 2027 season is starting to shape up nicely.