Rising star hoping to learn ‘as much as I can’ from All Blacks greats

Test centurions Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock have formed a formidable partnership in the All Blacks’ second row for more than a decade. Both men will go down in history as all-time greats.

But change is coming, whether All Blacks fans like it or not.

Following this year’s Rugby World Cup in France, the All Blacks will usher in a new era under incoming coach Scott Robertson.

The man known as Razor, who coached the Crusaders to their seventh title in as many years last weekend, will look to lead a new-look All Blacks side to gory.

From 2024, the All Blacks will most likely include a mix of fresh faces, rising stars and experienced campaigners – but the team won’t feature the seemingly irreplaceable second-row duo.

Among the players who will farewell the All Blacks after this year’s Rugby World Cup – including the likes of Aaron Smith and Dane Coles – both Retallick and Whitelock will call time on their Test careers.

Retallick will return to Kobelco Steelers in Japan, while Whitelock will join his younger brother Luke at French club Pau on a two-year deal.

Before All Blacks fans know it, the influence, experience and leadership of the world-class pair will longer take centre stage in the Test arena.

With more than 240 Test caps between them, Retallick and Whitelock will be tough to replace – but the All Blacks have some exciting options at lock coming through the ranks.

Crusaders captain Scott Barrett would have to be considered a frontrunner for a starting jersey, while Chiefs star Tupou Vaa’i has also shown plenty of promise at Test level in the past.

But another option is Josh Lord.

Lord, who is the fifth tallest player in All Blacks history, has been recalled to the national team ahead of their Rugby Championship campaign.

After spending 11 months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Lord appears intent on adding to his two Test caps next month.

But, importantly, the 22-year-old is eager to learn “as much as I can from” departing greats Retallick and Whitelock.

“I guess I’m just pretty excited to be back in there in the mix, playing with the best team in the world,” Lord told RugbyPass.

“I guess it’s always going to be pretty special when you’ve got the likes of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock to learn a bit from them.

“I think this is going to be their last year in the All Blacks so I’m just going to take as much as I can from them and take it with me for the rest of my career.”

After spending almost a year on the sidelines, Lord was a bit of a surprise selection in the All Blacks’ 36-man squad for the Rugby Championship.

But amongst all the discussion and passionate debates surrounding the selection of five uncapped players in the initial squad, Lord’s inclusion seemed to fly under the radar.

The rising star was always destined for more Test match rugby after making his debut on the end-of-season tour in 2021, but injuries put those hopes and dreams on hold.

But with a Rugby World Cup just over two months away, Lord spoke about how “special” it was to hear his “name called out.”

“When you get the chance to work with some world-class players and some bloody good coaches, and hopefully push hard to play a few games and put my best foot forward really,” Lord added.

itely going to be special. There’s been a lot of hard work that’s gone into it from not just myself but the medical team as well as mates and family.

“It’s special to be able to share the journey along with them.”

The All Blacks begin their Rugby Championship campaign against Los Pumas in Mendoza, Argentina, early next month.

New Zealand will then return home to face rivals South Africa in Auckland before travelling across the ditch to play Eddie Jones’ Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The All Blacks leave for Argentina on Sunday.