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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
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
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