The Highlanders have secured the services of former coach Jamie Joseph, who will return to Dunedin as the club's new head of rugby from 2024 on a three-year deal.
Joseph, 53, missed out to Scott Robertson in the race to replace Ian Foster as the All Blacks' head coach after this season.
While it was expected he would stay in Japan, Joseph will instead return to Aotearoa to reunite with his former side.
Joseph is arguably the Highlanders' most successful coach, lifting the side's only Super Rugby title in 2015.
In 101 games, Joseph won 54 of them in a six-year spell in Dunedin.
Now, though, Joseph will return in a different role supporting coach Clarke Dermody.
"I view the role as a great opportunity to give back to the club and the region that means so much time," he said.
"I did my study at the University of Otago, played for Otago and my family have enjoyed being raised and schooled in Dunedin.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach of the Highlanders, so I am genuinely excited about returning to the South to offer my services to the club in 2024."
The Highlanders will no doubt relish Joseph's expertise. In 2023, the side won just five games from 14 played, finishing ninth and missing out on the playoffs.
In 46 tests, Joseph has so far coached Japan to 21 victories, including topping their pool at the 2019 Rugby World Cup - finishing first ahead of both Ireland and Scotland.
Eventual champions South Africa were the only team to defeat Joseph's Japan at the tournament.
With the Māori All Blacks, Joseph boasts a winning record of more than 83 percent, coaching five victories from six matches.
Those results saw Joseph initially considered a contender to replace Sir Steve Hansen after he left the All Blacks' head coaching role in 2019, before withdrawing from the race alongside assistant Tony Brown.
After four further years with Japan leading to this year's World Cup in France, Joseph was seen as a potential replacement for Foster before Robertson was appointed to that role.
