Tall timber Josh Lord (right) features for Taranaki in the 2023 Chiefs Country Centurions Cup at Albert Park, Te Awamutu. Photo: Jesse Wood
Ōwhango-raised Chiefs and All Blacks lock Josh Lord is fizzing for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season after several injury setbacks.
The Taumarunui tall timber is one of three King Country connections in the squad, alongside Ōtorohanga’s Cortez Ratima – born and brought up in Piopio – and wider squad member Dylan Eti who plays for Hautapu in Cambridge but is also from Ōtorohanga.
Lord, 24, said he was looking forward to playing rugby again following his appearance for the All Blacks against Japan on their northern tour last year.
“I’ve had a few injuries across the last few years. So, touch wood I can get through a few games, play a few in a row, and hopefully look forward to competing for the title.
“The body is feeling good. I came in a little bit earlier just to keep the body moving and not slowing down. My mind’s feeling pretty good too. I had a nice break, so I’m freshened up.”
Lord has connections to most of the Chiefs provinces and wearing the jersey is special to him.
“You’re representing yourself, your family and friends as well as the coaches and everyone who’s helped you along the journey,” he said.
“But at the same time, you’re just looking after the jersey for one game. You’ve got to leave it in a better spot for the next week.
“I’ve probably got a little bit of a connection to all the regions, but home is always Taumarunui.”
He was born on the North Shore but the farming and skiing settlement of Ōwhango is where his family roots are.
“Ōwhango is only little but everyone knows everyone and they’re tight knit. It’s a nice place.”
His family still live there.
“I’d say they’ll be there for a long time.”
His father Matt, born in Taumarunui represented Thames Valley, North Harbour, the Blues and Northampton Saints, where he finished his career in 2009.
“After that finished, he headed home to the farm with my granddad and has been there since we moved back to New Zealand.”
Attending the 50 student Ōwhango Primary School at first, Lord then moved to Turaki Primary School in Taumarunui for Year 7 and 8.
“They had about 200 students at the time. My parents moved me to get used to a bigger school before I went to Hamilton Boys’ High School, which had 2500 – that was a bit of a shock to the system.”
After leaving school, the Taranaki National Provincial Championship (NPC) side gave him a chance in 2019.
From there, he skyrocketed into the Chiefs and All Blacks squads making his first appearances for both in 2021. His New Zealand debut came in the 104-14 drubbing of the United States in Washington.
“Every debut has been special but obviously the All Blacks is always the pinnacle. It’s something you strive towards every year and something you want to have a crack at since you were a kid,” Lord said.
When he returned from injury in 2023, he turned out for the Taumarunui Districts Rugby Club.
That was his first time playing rugby in his hometown for a decade.
“I was lucky enough to go home. My old man was coaching at the time, which was cool.
“I got the chance to play with a lot of old primary school mates and boys that I grew up around. That was special.”
With many highlights in his career to date, and many more to come, Lord certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots.
Representing his hometown and his country means the world to him.
“At NPC level, winning the Ranfurly Shield is a special highlight. It’s hard to take away something like that and what it offers to the community,” he said.
“But the All Blacks is always on top. That All Blacks dream is hard to comprehend how it compares to anything else.
“Playing for Taumarunui has got to be a close third – that was really special and close to my heart.
‘It’s always in the back of my mind; it would be wicked to go home towards the end of my career to play a few games for King Country and Taumarunui. Then maybe help with community rugby.
“It’s definitely something I want to achieve before I finish up,” said Lord.
