Jamie Joseph has remained coy on his All Blacks ambitions ahead of the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season, which kicks off on Friday.

The Highlanders head coach has been heavily linked to the vacant position ever since Scott Robertson was unceremoniously sacked by New Zealand Rugby in mid-January.

Joseph is the favourite to replace Robertson, given that he meets the governing body’s requirements and is also currently working in New Zealand.

Took charge of second-string side

He also took charge of the second-string All Blacks XV in November, which suggests that NZ Rugby have been positioning the former Japan boss for a key role within the main set-up.

Whether that is as All Blacks head coach will be seen relatively soon, but for now, Joseph only has eyes for the Crusaders clash on Friday.

The 56-year-old, who was inevitably asked about the national team job, admitted that the recent sacking was “totally unexpected”, but refused to divulge too much else as the search for Robertson’s successor continues.

“Well, it was totally unexpected, and you’ve got your head down thinking about your own team. For me, that is the Highlanders. That has been really my focus,” he told reporters.

“The publicity around the job has been surprisingly simple for the players. There hasn’t been a lot said.

“This is my first game in this season after a really tough season [last year], and I’m really focused on the Highlanders.”

Eddie Jones ‘disappointed’ by how NZ Rugby ‘handled’ Scott Robertson’s sacking and ‘leaking’ details

Down to a three-man shortlist

According to The Post, Joseph decided not to confirm whether he has applied for the role, but it is understood that he has indeed thrown his hat in the ring.

Dave Rennie is another who is thought to have expressed an interest in becoming the next All Blacks head coach, and, according to Sir John Kirwan, they are on NZ Rugby’s shortlist of three candidates.

Kirwan did not know who the third one is but he did throw an interesting name out there.

“We had 13 applications, and it’s down to three. Of the three, I think there’s Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie, but I don’t know who the third is. It could be Warren Gatland, but I’m pretty sure that they’re making the decision in the next week or so,” he said on the Rivals podcast.

With Vern Cotter ruling himself out of the running by signing with the Queensland-based Reds and Joe Schmidt reportedly doing the same, it has narrowed NZ Rugby’s search somewhat.

It means that Joseph and Rennie are the clear frontrunners with a decision expected soon.

READ MORE: The Scott Robertson clause which should have Scotland on high alert amid Gregor Townsend doubts