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David Havili vindicated by decision to stay after All Black return
David Havili’s return to the All Blacks for the first time in four years was a successful one, with the newly established second-five playing a crucial role in the All Blacks 57-23 victory over Fiji in Dunedin.
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The midfielder helped set-up a strike play that saw fullback Jordie Barrett dive over untouched for the All Blacks’ first try, with Havili taking a colossal hit after timing his pass perfectly to Beauden Barrett at the back to free the backline.
Then he scored one himself outside his first five, cutting back against the grain from close range to slice through the defence to score next to the posts. He completed his double before halftime, getting a one-on-one matchup with openside flanker Mesulame Kunavula defending at 10 from another set-piece play and charging through the Fijian loosie.
“It was everything I expected, a few things went my way and a few things didn’t, so plenty to build off for next week,” Havili told media on Sunday afternoon.
“There was a few [nerves] just getting on the bus, I was just trying to soak up the atmosphere but once I got into the game with those first few carries, I was good and ready to go.”
After scoring his two tries in the first half, Havili then became the provider early in the second, offering the last pass to Crusaders’ teammate George Bridge to score untouched in the corner.
When asked whether his preferred position has changed from fullback to second five after his impressive All Black performance, Havili said it is becoming his preference the more time he gets at the position.
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When called on by the Crusaders to play in the midfield this year, he was able to put together a compelling season for the national selectors and the stability of playing in one spot was a factor.
“I think it is slowly changing. It is good for me to have those strings to my bow as well. I think at the moment playing in the midfield is my main focus but 15 is still an option for me as well.
“Over the years I’ve jumped in-and-out of positions and it’s been good to be able to focus on one and get consistent performances together throughout Super Rugby and hopefully I can keep doing that at this international level.”
His re-introduction to test rugby was a testing one, with Fiji turning up with physicality and intensity that put the All Blacks under serious pressure. Havili stated the intensity out there was ‘a lot’ higher than Super Rugby.
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“It was a lot higher than Super Rugby. They play with a lot of passion as well and I thought at times, we matched that. I enjoyed that, it was a good challenge for me.”
Havili formed a new centre pairing for Ian Foster’s backline with Rieko Ioane, after debutant Quinn Tupaea joined the Blues centre against Tonga. With the experience of Anton Lienert-Brown expected to be back soon, Havili said it would be key to build combinations with all the midfield options.
“I’ve never played with Anton [Lienert-Brown] before, but it is exciting for me to play with those guys.
“You play against them all year and to be able to play with them, try build those connections moving forward and grow those relationships through the midfield. It’s going to be key for me.”
It has been plenty of time since the last test match for the 26-year-old, a 23-18 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane in late 2017, the return to the national set-up and first start in the black jersey was confirmation the decision to stay in New Zealand was the right one.
“I think for me, I didn’t want to leave too early and not look back on my career and think ‘what if’ so it was about me weighing up what was important,” he said.
“Staying in New Zealand, I thought I still had a lot of time left and chasing that black jersey was a massive goal of mine.
“Running out last night, definitely made it all worthwhile. I’m still buzzing a bit to be back in the jersey and extremely excited for what’s to come.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Will rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
2 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
2 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
3 Go to comments