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David Havili on All Blacks reset: ‘You're trying to get noticed'

Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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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Comments

14 Comments
L
Lindsay 46 days ago

Congrads Dave Rennie & commiserations Jamie Joseph. It's going to be very interesting, courageous, solid the direction the AB's coach Dave Rennies taking the AB's. All sounds very exciting & new, my curiosity has gotten the better of me as I'm sure the majority of NZ Rugby rugby love community & the sports public in general.

Given the resemey Dave Rennie provided to the NZR committee, it must have been so over whelming & to hard not to accept his application. However like Dave Rennie said every super rugby player is on notice & there's no loyalties to previous & current AB's. Players are going to be picked on form especially the test series against France, Italy & Ireland in the June. This is going to be a challenge but a good hearty challenge to asses where their at, before they tour South Aftica. The South African tour is going to be their biggest challenge since coming away with their first test series since the 1996 then they have to play the Tri Nations series against SA & Australia. Dave Rennie should have a better inderstanding & have a valuation assesment to see where the AB's are at heading into the end of tour. Its all up the Super rugby players, previous & current AB's is your destination is in your hands. Wish you all well there will be the AB's coach Dave Rennie & his assistance together with four million (4,000,000) people going to be couch potatoes coaches watching.

A
Andrew Nichols 46 days ago

Havili? Nope.. not a chance with the talent head of him at 12. Notable tvat he doesnt seem to attract overseas offers. Whats that tell you?

B
Bazzallina 46 days ago

I’m interested in seeing Leicester moving in a spot to 12 some more

J
JW 47 days ago

Fosters team in Havili’s time was a shambles. I could have seen him fitting and doing a role for Razor, and certainly any compitent coach would be able to utilize his skill set. He just needs to fit the framework, pretty much like any player, and he wasnt afforded that in his time.


I wanted him dropped at the time to use a tougher player at 12, but his tactical game has got even better over the last 3 or 4 years.

G
GP 47 days ago

It was unbelievable last year when David Havili, captained the Crusaders to victory, played so well . Then Razor and co left him out. Same with Ethan Blackadder. The likes of David and others can be heartened by Dave Rennie’s comments. Clean slate is what is needed. His performance against the Chief’s last week was special.

T
TokoRFC 46 days ago

He was picked by Razor against Japan if I remember correctly. He got his chance to stake a claim and he had an absolute shocker

B
Bazzallina 47 days ago

Misses to many tackles and unfortunately for him sane so far this year less than 70%

K
Karlos G 47 days ago

I like Rennies comments bout players earning the right, the proof will be in the pudding come selection time, but l wonder if the sponsorship that features players(some out of form) and being part of the leadership group will influence things🤔

Sometimes l think they should do away with a leadership group and have just a captain and vice captain that way they don't feel so compelled to play players that might not be at their best!

Me's thinking that selections and defence the biggest workons for ABs

J
JW 47 days ago

Yep, Razor had the same talk as Rennie, then when he get into the role selected the same players, just filling in some deptartures with a few new guys, eg picking Savea over SRP MVP Sotutu.

S
SB 47 days ago

He will find it tough to get into the squad.

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