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All Blacks on the mind as David Havili re-signs with Crusaders
By Online Editors
Birthday boy David Havili has inked a new contract with the Crusaders which will keep him in New Zealand until the end of 2023.
Havili first signed with the Crusaders in 2015 and has since played over 80 matches for the Super Rugby champions.
The widely talented utility was unlucky not to earn an All Blacks call-up this year after performing exceptionally across the Crusaders backline. Havili covered fullback, the midfield and even flyhalf at one stage and has outright stated that the lure of the black jersey is keeping the 26-year-old in New Zealand, despite offers from offshore.
“I didn’t want to have any regrets when I finish playing. I just wanted to give myself every opportunity to get the most out of NZ Rugby, I think I've got a lot more to add,” Havili told Stuff.
“I had some pretty good offers in Japan. But I’m still pretty young, I’ve still got higher aspirations...I had to take a couple of weeks to decide on what I really wanted to do.
"I want to get back into that All Blacks jersey and I couldn't do that overseas."
Havili made his first appearance for the All Blacks against Argentina in 2017, scoring a try on debut, and featured in four further matches for the New Zealand national side during that 2017 season.
Injuries have plagued the Crusaders co-captain's career since his international debut and restricted Havili's minutes in 2020 - but many were still surprised when the utility back missed out on an All Blacks re-call.
Speaking on Sky Sports' The Conversation podcast, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson admitted he was somewhat perplexed at Havili's lack of opportunities at the highest level.
When asked what Havili needed to do to win selection in the All Blacks, Robertson was out of ideas.
"Play halfback?" was his only suggestion.
"He's one of those guys you take to Rugby World Cup. If it's 31 [players] for the next World Cup, you've got to fit multi-talented, multi-positional players in. He can long-range kick as well. He's smart, [has great] leadership, and he's tough - real tough."
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Latest Comments
Yeah it what respects? I wasn’t impressed with his start the the season either, but at least on his return he used his running game a couple of times, so some of his negative aspects balanced out, were at the start it was pretty much all wrong moves no right moves.
Go to commentsGP Ennor debuted for the ABs several years ago and has never really impressed. The same for Crusaders, has been fine without really standing out. Hes somewhat injury prone which is a real shame as he had a lot of potential but sadly has never kicked on.
Havili is a very good super player but we’ve seen more than enough of him at test level to see that he’ll never be special at that level.
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