Jamie Joseph to step down from Japan head coach role after World Cup

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has announced that he will step down from the role following the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.

The 53-year-old has been associated with the Brave Blossoms since 2016 and signed a contract extension post the 2019 home World Cup where he guided the team to quarter-finals.

"My time in Japan was very good, and I think it's a good time to leave," Kyodo News Agency quoted him as saying.

"It's good for my family."

Joseph was also one of the contender to take over the All Blacks coaching role before losing out to Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, who was announced as Ian Foster's successor.

He started his coaching career as an assistant in Wellington in 2003 and has worked with Maori All Blacks, Highlanders, Barbarians and Sunwolves in the past. He also represented New Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a player and Japan in the 1999 edition.

Japan are positioned in Pool D in the upcoming World Cup along with England, Argentina, Samoa and Chile.