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No-shows from England and France in our Six Nations team of the week
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David Havili on All Blacks reset: ‘You're trying to get noticed'
By Henry Lee
Current Crusaders captain David Havili last represented the All Blacks in November of 2024 against Italy, but the 30-Test playmaker isn’t ruling himself out of a possible call-up under new head coach Dave Rennie.
Havili played three Tests in 2024 under former head coach Scott Robertson, but fell out of favour during the 2025 season, despite leading the Crusaders to a Super Rugby Pacific title.
Last week at New Zealand Rugby headquarters, Rennie told media in Auckland that he has “no loyalties”, and will pick his squad based on form.
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This gives players at Super Rugby Pacific level a chance to impress the new coach without any pre-determined outcomes, something that will put possible All Blacks on the same level heading into the first squad.
Rennie won’t return to New Zealand full-time until the end of the Japan Rugby League One season in late May, which won’t give him much time to assemble and get the first squad up to speed ahead of their first Test of the season in July.
Speaking on Millsy & Guy on Sport Nation NZ, Havili said that although he hasn’t given it much thought, Rennie’s comments will give New Zealand-based players confidence.
“Like you said, it’s a refreshing start and I think with the land of Super Rugby, like, everyone’s going to go out there and just try and play well,” Havili said.
“And as a Super Rugby player for New Zealand, you want to be putting your hand up to play for the All Blacks, but first it’s getting that right at Super Rugby.
“So around New Zealand, everyone’s going to be certainly pushing for spot, so it’s going to be great in that space.”
Rennie returns to New Zealand after over nine years overseas, coaching the Wallabies, Glasgow Warriors, and the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, before applying, and winning the race to become the All Blacks head coach.
The Crusaders captain added that he personally hasn’t been coached by Rennie, but has heard positive things from teammates around the country.
“And yeah, I haven’t had too much to do with Dave Rennie, but the conversations I’ve had with like past players and guys from the Chiefs, he’s a great man.
“Hopefully be able to catch up with him at some stage. But definitely, certainly looking forward to pushing for that.”
With a new coach comes a new game plan and style, something which Havili says could open up new opportunities for possible combinations.
“Yeah I’m just gonna sound cliche, but you just sort of play well at Super Rugby, and then you sort of stand out from there, and that’s what everyone’s trying to do at the moment.
“I’m not too sure around like what sort of style they like and or what combinations they go for. But it’s just about playing well in your franchise, and you’re trying to get noticed.”
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