‘I saw on Facebook…’: All Black Josh Lord reflects on ‘frustrating’ run

Josh Lord has been given another chance to impress All Blacks coaches. The towering lock, who stands at a giant 2.02 metres tall, was initially named in the All Blacks XV but a few injuries in the top squad have forced a reshuffle before a clash with Japan in Tokyo.

On October 8, Lord was named as one of four locks in the All Blacks XV squad before their matches against Munster and Georgia in November. Netherlands-born Fabian Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Naitoa Ah Kuoi were also selected in the 29-man group.

But squads are rarely final in sport, as a coach's original plans can always be disrupted by an injury or three. That happened earlier this week with Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali’i all ruled out of the All Blacks' next Test.

Those injuries to the established trio has opened the door for Peter Lakai to potentially debut at international level, and it’s also given Lord another chance to make his mark. The lock has only played two Tests this year, and that was a combined 36 minutes against Argentina.

But this opportunity to play another Test in the black jersey is one that Lord will look to make the most of if given the chance. However, it remains to be seen as to whether the second-rower will remain with New Zealand’s main squad for the remainder of their Northern Tour.

“I saw on Facebook today that I’m in the squad so I think I’m here for the whole time but I guess there’s a chance that the coaches want me to go back and play a bit of footy,” Lord told reporters in Auckland earlier this week.

“I could chop and change between the ABs XV. Not too sure at the moment.”

Injuries have plagued Lord’s rugby career over the last few seasons. Lord spent almost a year on the sidelines after rupturing his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 2022, and an ankle injury earlier this year once again proved to be an annoyance.

Lord only played three matches for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific across rounds four, five and six, followed by a couple of matches for the national team. The 23-year-old has since played six matches for Taranaki in the NPC, including last weekend’s shock quarter-final loss.

“I guess it’s been a little bit frustrating this year just with so many injuries and trying to get back to fitness and then back injured again,” Lord reflected.

“Being back in the environment, it’s always the goal at the end of the year and I’m just enjoying the moment and enjoying the couple of games (against) Argentina.

“Sometimes the limbs get stuck in silly positions where they’re not supposed to be,” he added. “You definitely learn a lot about yourself, especially going up and down all the time. It’s been good, rather do it now than when I’m a bit older.”

“I played five or six games for the Naki which has helped me quite a lot,” he added later.

“Obviously just getting a bit of fitness. Just getting back into a bit of a rugby routine, really… the last year, it’s been a bit up and down – play a few games and get injured again, and it’s hard to build your confidence when you’re up and down.

“Feeling pretty good… if I get the chance, I’ll put myself up for selection and just go out there and do my job.”