'There's a lot of rugby knowledge': David Havili's reasoning behind in-form backline

Last season is a thing of the past for the Crusaders, as they leap to second on the Super Rugby Pacific table after comfortably beating the Blues on Saturday night at Eden Park in Auckland.

The 42-19 victory for Rob Penney’s side backs up their previous two wins, in which they also scored over 40 points, showcasing the attacking quality in their backline.

Crusaders captain David Havili was more than pleased with his side’s effort on Saturday evening, saying that the backs can only do what they do, when the forward pack gives them go forward and quick ball.

“I thought our forward pack did really well at stealing a few balls at the Blues lineout, and they gave us a lot of quick ball off of our lineout as well,” Havili told media post-match at Eden Park.

“I think like you’ve just got to come up here with the mindset to be physical and if you don’t get that right, the Blues can certainly get a roll on. So history shows that these battles are physical battles, and we just wanted to go at them.”

When asked about why he thinks the Crusaders backline has been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks, Havili puts it down to the experience and the knowledge of his teammates.

“I think there’s just a lot of rugby knowledge in that backline. Like you’ve got James O’Connor, who’s been at multiple World Cups and played around the world. Then you put him in with Will Jordan, then you got guys like Sevu Reece, with finishing power and you just want to give them one-on-ones.

“Certainly the prep that goes in during the week is really thorough, and you’ve just seen the results of their hard work.”

It’s clear to see the confidence Penney’s backline has at the moment, something Havili credits to assistant coach James Marshall, who has worked with the attack for a couple of years now.

“I think James Marshall has done a really great job with our attack. Naturally, as the games progressing, with the refs trying to speed up the game, you see a lot more of ball in play.

“You’re taking teams deep into the phase count and when you have guys like, Will, Macca (Springer) and the like, we have just been taking opportunities, and we’re trusting the core at the moment.

“We’re just scoring some good tries at the moment, but also I think our forward pack has been doing a really great job of just giving us that quick ball.”

Havili, who has played 30 Tests for the All Blacks, puts his good form down to the leadership opportunity he’s been given in the Crusaders environment, as well as playing injury-free so far in 2025.

“I think coming back from the World Cup last year, I had a couple extra weeks off and probably came into the season, a bit undercooked, and this year I just wanted to really have a good preseason and just work hard with the boys.

“Coming in a wee bit earlier to get around the fellas and then I think also the leadership group that I’ve got around me, just really allows me to be me.”

The midfielder, who has been a part of the Crusaders franchise for a decade now since making his debut in 2015, admits this year’s early season success has been pleasing after a difficult year in 2024.

“We went through a wee bit of hardship last year, and it’s a credit to the coaches of what they’ve done sort of over the preseason this year.

“We want to really work hard and understand what we’re about as a team, and we set the foundation through preseason and you have just seen the results of that, and also having a wee bit of experience to come back like Scooter (Barrett),  Codie Taylor and Will Jordan, even myself, missing last year.

“So being able to keep us on the park has been great.”