He'll have the weight of the host nation's expectations on his shoulders and it's a challenge he's not shying away from.
But who is the man of Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Rarua descent?
Joseph has sport in his blood.
"Very sporting family, both parents played sport and coached sport. Summer's were full of softball, Mum played hockey in the winter. Dad played rugby and softball."
The whole whanau were talented athletes.
Joseph's grandad and great grandfather played for New Zealand Maori, other relatives played for the All Blacks.
