Te Awamutu Sports’ Josh Moorby in action against Morrinsville Sports in 2017. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Following his record-breaking evening on Saturday, Te Awamutu Sports’ Josh Moorby has been selected in Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad.
The 27-year-old Hurricanes winger broke the record for most tries scored in a Super Rugby season (17), as did fellow winger Fehi Fineanganofo in the 60-5 Super Rugby Pacific final victory against the Chiefs in Wellington.
After a record-breaking season with the Hurricanes, Te Awamutu Sports’ Josh Moorby has been selected for the All Blacks. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
The pair of All Blacks new caps have been electric all season and Rennie said the squad was already finalised before the grand finale.
Sports’ Taha Kemara has also been selected for the Māori All Blacks team to head to Japan this week.
Moorby’s older brother Cameron said it’s a dream come true.
“It’s very proud day for our family, for Te Awamutu and for everyone that’s been a part of Josh’s journey,” Cameron said.
Te Awamutu Sports director of rugby Sam Gibbens said Moorby is another proud product of Te Awamutu rugby.
“His selection is something the whole community can celebrate,” Gibbens said.
“It’s awesome for our young players to see someone who started their rugby journey here go on to achieve the ultimate honour in New Zealand rugby.
Fellow Waipā Hurricane Cam Roigard has also kept his spot in the All Blacks team under the new management.
Hautapu-connected Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker and Leroy Carter have also been retained.
Taha Kemara has been named in the Māori All Blacks squad. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Among the omissions are St Peter’s alumni Ollie Norris and Samipeni Finau. Norris is in the Māori All Blacks side.
Moorby grew up on a Te Awamutu dairy farm with his parents John and Anne and attended Hamilton Boys’ High School. He didn’t make the A or B teams at Under 14 and 15 levels and was a third XV player in Year 12. In 2016 he was called into a first XV tour squad to the United Kingdom to cover for injury.
His first professional contract came in 2019 with Southland following time with the New Zealand Sevens and in 2021 was an injury cover for the Highlanders but never took the field.
The Hurricanes came calling the following season and there he has found a home away from home, playing 54 times and scoring 38 tries.
He also represented Northland before moving home to the Waikato, around a season at Montpellier.
The three-time Māori All Blacks player is no stranger to the black jersey and has bided his time.
“For the boys selected in the All Blacks, it caps off an amazing couple of days, particularly for the new boys but also for all of them,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“Moorbs went to France and probably thought he was done in New Zealand, but to come back and score 17 tries and show consistency at both wing and fullback is a huge achievement.
“Fehi has gone through a different journey. He went through some tough times with a bad injury but came to sevens, went to an Olympic Games, and then joined us last season. He’s scored 17 tries alongside Moorbs, and his selection is well-deserved.”
After a record-breaking season with the Hurricanes, Te Awamutu Sports’ Josh Moorby has been selected for the All Blacks. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
