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'There's a lot of rugby knowledge': David Havili's reasoning behind in-form backline
By Henry Lee at Eden Park, Auckland
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.
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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.
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“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.
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“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.”
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LOL he names the 3 least contributing players in the team! I wonder if that’s a group he see’s himself in as well then, self deprecating!
Still a good group that can contribute off the field for sure though, there has been good improvement (to both parts but obviously from a very low point last year) but still not quite their yet against the good sides.
Good to see Hotham back as I wonder if the intensity is getting to Preston. He’s still making good decisions but his accuracy appears to have taken a hit. Could it be he’s still adapting to the highest level? Would be good to see if Hotham can add something to the attack too, it’s still a bit lacking with Kemara working into a grove controlling the game.
Hop off it mate. WJ and Sevu contributing the least? What are you smoking????
WJ has been unbelievably good this season, easily the ABs first choice 15, and Sevu has just been playing out of his skin these last few seasons.
I’ll remind you that James O’Connor has also been outstanding off the bench, just watch his decision making under pressure and clutch kicking.
Also, interesting that I could be something do with Havili being a bit lighter this year. That probably came about because Foster want Havili to be able to deliver crash ball at 12 for the All Blacks. Oh how thankful I was when injury finally promoted Jordie to that role!
David Havili is an outstanding Super Rugby player, just as Anton Lienart-Brown is. But SR is their highest level of competency. Neither have shown they can consistently be anything better than average as test players. Average test players don’t win World Cups.
It is time the All Blacks look forward not backwards in the selection of midfielders- Timoci, Tupaea, Proctor, Ennor are the present along with Jordie Barrett (Ioane can play wing for the All Blacks or play 13 in the NPC).
Your hatred for ALB is borderline trolling at this point. He’s proven himself at test level for years.
Ennor is done and dusted. Too injury prone for years and years. Proctor is a better choice.
ALB was on fire and was pushing some AB great 12s when he came in. Lasted until an injury I think.
Havilli has been great, Chay Fihaki starting to really find his feet at this level.
Blues seemed quite happy to let the Crusaders have 15-20m of space to play around with for as long as they liked before the defence closed.
It’s a pretty young forward pack they put out too, got well beaten to the punch at critical times.
When you put out I thought you were speaking of the Saders pack lol theyre just as young (though far more experienced).
One good performance shouldn’t change the fact he hasn’t been consistent. Sure they beat broken down blues team who’s bottom of table for a reason.
Havili has been a starter on 7 Super Rugby championship teams. He is a fantastic 12 at SR level. To argue with that kind of success is illogical.
Come off it mate, been a critic of him being inconsistent myself, but this year he’s been one of the Crusaders best. His passing game has been elite, his kicking on point and he’s making decent inroads with his carry. Who knows if he can make it work in the Int game, but he’s had a cracker Super so far
Crusader's wingers scoring lots of tries shows the players inside them are doing an excellent job. The clunky backline of last year has disappeared and is now quite possibly the best in the competition. Expect the Crusaders to hit the overall lead once the bye anomaly is caught up on. Did have some doubts on Havili as captain but he has certainly stood up hasn’t he?
Yeah but I don’t think thats saying much. I was going to say it’s still about as clunky as the Chiefs blackline, and maybe you’re right, they could still be the best.
Bye anomaly? Didn’t the Landers gain a spot during their bye, is it only half points not a full four they get?
David Havili has been a revelation as Crusaders captain. He has revelled in it and lead from the front , even though he is a second five. As the article says there is a lot of nous in that team and David has a great support crew.
Well if he makes Razors squad, he’d best deliver as he’s had a few chances at test level over the yrs and hasnt consistently.set the world on fire. Like Reece, he looks great at this level but in the tough stuff of tests where its just that bit faster and gaps close more quickly…