Raised on humble hard-working foundations on his family’s Te Awamutu dairy farm, nothing in Moorby’s rugby journey has come easy.
He was never blessed with standout size or strength. He was not a schoolboy rugby star; never talent-spotted from a young age or destined for the pro ranks like many of his earmarked All Black teammates.
Moorby made the now-defunct Roller Mills under-13 age-grade team in Waikato but then spent his Hamilton Boys’ High School years largely on the outer looking in on the premier teams.
He played for the under-14 second team; under-15 social. When he trialled for the open grade at 16 he didn’t make the fourth-best team.
In Year 12, he featured for the thirds. Only in his final schooling year did he crack the first XV. Even then, he attributes that to injuries.
Many aspiring male teenagers of this generation who miss every high school representative team walk away from the game believing their path is blocked, that this sport is not meant for them.
Moorby is built different. He persevered. That’s shaped him into the player he is today.
After school Moorby made his first representative team since under-13s when Alf Daniels selected him in the Waikato under-19s. He progressed to the academy ranks and the Chiefs 20s but couldn’t get a sniff at the Waikato provincial side.
Undeterred, Moorby ventured elsewhere to continue chasing his dream with Southland offering him a part-time semi-professional opening.
Josh Moorby in action for Southland during the 2019 NPC season. Photo / Photosport
Outside the NPC season Moorby worked in retail, as a teacher’s aide and at Bridgestone Tyres to fund his passion.
“It helped me grow up pretty quick,” Moorby reflects with the Herald.
“We had a great group of guys in Invercargill. There’s not much to do there at the bottom of New Zealand so you get tight-knit for four months. The other eight months of the year it’s working in a tyre shop, which I was doing, or if you’re lucky enough you get an injury replacement call-up for Super Rugby.
“Put in any situation I should be okay now. It’s all learning and meeting new people. That’s helped me as I’ve ventured around. I’ve been able to communicate well and get along with people easily.”
Three years with Southland, while working outside the provincial season, helped Moorby press his case and eventually earn selection with the Hurricanes. Only then was he a fulltime professional athlete.
“That was a big tick for my career and dream.”
Moorby’s roaming career was far from complete, though. He switched provincial teams twice, joining Northland before returning home to Waikato two years later, and he seemingly closed the door on his All Blacks aspirations when he signed a two-year deal with French club Montpellier in 2024.
Something happened in France. Moorby enjoyed the lifestyle, learning a new rugby style, new language, developing as a person outside his comfort zone. But he couldn’t shake the urge that he had more to give.
One year in, he cut his contract short and re-signed with the Hurricanes. It proved the best decision of his career.
“It made me realise what I enjoy, what I want from rugby for myself and my family. I was able to get back a year early. I put my head down and went to work to show I was able to play good rugby – and that the dream was not over.”
The Hurricanes culture, coaches, attacking style, confidence and a growing maturity in his game combined to inspire Moorby’s whirlwind, breakout season.
Hurricanes Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo celebrate a try against Moana Pasifika. Photo / Photosport
In a championship-winning campaign he scored 17 tries – the joint single-season Super Rugby record alongside teammate Fehi Fineanganofo.
Moorby’s pace, finishing, work rate and anticipation impressed incoming All Blacks coach Dave Rennie to propel him into the national team and justify his serendipitous return from France.
“It’s been a crazy year. From the high of winning Super Rugby and then a couple of days later you get a call you always dream of. Dave would probably say the same but it was a bit awkward. I didn’t know what he was wanting. There was a bit of small talk … I was giving shocking answers. We were scratching for things to talk about. When he said the words every kid wants to hear, it was pretty amazing.”
Moorby didn’t inform his family of his All Blacks call-up – they found out on the live announcement from Feilding.
The late blooming 27-year-old impressed off the bench on test debut in Wellington to earn a start against Ireland at Eden Park the following week.
Josh Moorby in action for the All Blacks against Ireland. Photo / Dean Purcell
“My first game for the All Blacks was indescribable. I don’t know how to put it into words. When you dream of doing something for so long – and at one stage it was a distant dream. That’s a massive thing that I wanted to achieve.
“The July series was a lot – just the first time being in there and soaking it all in, getting my first game, playing at Eden Park. A week off and then you’re off for the greatest rivalry tour. I probably won’t reflect on everything until the end of the year and we get a bit of time off and I can think ‘wow, what a ride’.”
Throughout this test season Moorby has contested the All Blacks left-wing role with Leroy Carter.
Like his career trajectory there’s been highs and lows – scoring a try at Ellis Park and a telling missed tackle in the same memorable match that cost him his place in the starting team the following week.
“You’ve got kids from a very young age giving you all sorts through the bus window. Then there’s others who are very respectful of the All Blacks. It’s one of the greatest tunnels to the field I’ve ever been a part of. When you walk out there’s people everywhere. The atmosphere, the planes going over, the anthem. And to play like that, get the win, it was very special to be part of.
“There were a couple of instances I wish I could have back, a couple of missed tackles, one led to a try. That’s something I’ve got to accept, move past and work on but it’s all part of the challenge of a test match.”
Carter’s potentially season-ending ankle injury in last week’s dominant victory against the Wallabies opens the door for Moorby to start the rematch in Sydney.
Working in the tyre shop, his days as a part-time athlete are long gone yet the lessons of those experiences linger.
“To be honest I don’t know if I have cracked it. I’m a pretty harsh critic on myself. I like to keep pushing. I’ve enjoyed the grind, enjoying the ride.”
Moorby may be ensconced in the All Blacks but he’ll never forget his farming roots – he loves returning to Te Awamutu to help his parents milk in his downtime – or the real-world graft that typifies his journey.
Just as not all superheroes wear capes, not every All Black was destined for the test ranks.
“I’m trying to enjoy it all and not let the moment take over. That’s what it’s all about. Every time I run out I take a moment to smile and think ‘Jeez, it’s cool to be where I am’.”
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.