The announcement of Jamie Joseph, as the new head coach of the Brave Blossoms, will be delayed until the new year, a source close to the matter said Friday.
Multiple sources have named Joseph as the Japan Rugby Football Union's top choice for head coach and he was scheduled to be announced by the end of the week, but some details of the 46-year-old's contract have yet to be ironed out, the source said.
Joseph, who played for New Zealand at the 1995 World Cup and for Japan in 1999, is under contract with the Highlanders until August. At a board of directors meeting on Dec. 17, the JRFU said the new coach would be named as soon as the contract is signed.
With Japan likely to field an Under 20s side in the Asian Rugby Championship, the Brave Blossoms' first test will be on June 18 against Scotland.