Adam Lennox ready to roll for Taranaki after All Black departures

Adam Lennox is one of Taranaki’s most important and versatile players. Since 2022, the halfback, winger and fullback has featured in 43 of the last 47 games for the Amber and Blacks.

In 2026 he’ll be without two of his best mates; coach Neil Barnes and first five Josh Jacomb are bound for South Africa with the All Blacks.

Barnes led Taranaki to 39 wins in 57 matches, making the bold decision in 2023 to partner Lennox at halfback and Jacomb at first-five.

The pair proved to be a revelation, powering Taranaki to their first NPC title since 2014, winning their last four matches against North Harbour (54-21), Tasman (34-18), Canterbury (23-11) and Hawke’s Bay (22-19).

Lennox and Jacomb have started together at nine and ten 15 times and won on 11 occasions, with Jacomb subsequently thriving at the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific and Lennox debuting for the Maori All Blacks this year out of the Highlanders.

“Josh making the All Blacks is well deserved. He’s a classy player, a calm presence in form for years but still young with a lot to offer,” Lennox told RugbyPass.

“Obviously his loss will be a big one, but we’re lucky to have most of the same players back from previous seasons and good backup at first five with the likes of Sam Clarke from the All Blacks Sevens.

“Barnsey is a straight shooter, which the country has become aware of. There’s a clarity about him which is refreshing. He’s actually young-minded too, bright across the modern game.”

Barnes is replaced as Taranaki coach by former All Blacks lock and Taranaki Rugby Academy manager Jarrad Hoeata, while there are only six new players in the Taranaki squad: Suli Pahulu (Clifton), Josefa Namosimalua (Inglewood), Quintony Ngatai (New Plymouth Old Boys), Chris Vunipola (Clifton), Rocky Olsen (Stratford Eltham) and Indiha Saotui-Huta (Clifton)

Flanker Kaylum Boshier (63 games) will again captain Taranaki and is joined by stalwarts like Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Daniel Rona, Meihana Grindlay, Seta Tamanivalu, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Kini Naholo.

Taranaki should be among the favourites for the NPC again. On Friday, they beat Wellington 21-14 in a pre-season hitout at Corbett Park, ?akura, known for its popular beach and some of Taranaki’s

most sought-after real estate.

“It was pretty scrappy in tough conditions, usual pre-season stuff. The boys are training hard and the connections are good. It helps that we’ve played a lot together. We expect a tough game first up against Counties,” Lennox said.

Taranaki will travel to Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe for their opening round match in the 50th NPC. Taranaki have won nine of their last ten matches against the Steelers and prevailed 43-22 in 2025 with Jacomb scoring 18 points and Lennox starting on the right wing, one of seven appearances he made in that position.

The ability to cover multiple positions makes Lennox a favourite at the Highlanders. Coach Jamie Joseph observed after Lennox scored two tries in a 27-17 win over Moana Pasifika on April 26.

“Very quick. If he gets an opportunity, gets a sniff, he breaks the line so that’s a point of difference for him as a rugby player and something good for the team.”

In 2025 Lennox made seven appearances off the bench (177 minutes) for the Highlanders. In 2026 he started five times in 14 appearances, totalling 546 minutes. He played in all five Highlanders wins, two more than in 2025, and scored two tries in a standout display in a 47-40 loss to the Blues at Eden Park.

“It was an enjoyable year, despite the results not always going our way,” Lennox said.

“We became more connected as a group and aligned in the way we want to play. We’re building a more experienced roster with depth in key positions. The Highlanders are on the up.”

So too is Lennox. His debut for the Maori All Blacks in their 38-31 win over the Japan XV at a hostile and humid Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya included a try.

“That was a lucky one. I was in the right place at the right time,” Lennox said.

“It was a really cool experience with a great group of boys, the Maori All Blacks. It took us a while to get going with little time together and the conditions, but the boys who came off the bench did a job.”

Taranaki is hoping to do a job by winning the NPC. In 2024 and 2025 they also held the Ranfurly Shield.

“2023 was an awesome experience, a sold-out Yarrows Stadium in New Plymouth for the final. It took us a couple of years to build the connections that led to that win.  Retention rate is important in this competition with tough teams like Hawke’s Bay, Tasman and Canterbury.

“We’ve got a settled squad. It’s a short campaign and early momentum is important.”

Adam is the son of Whanganui centurion Guy Lennox (104 games).