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David Havili's verdict on Crusaders' round one hat-trick hero
By Henry Lee
The Crusaders have opened their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign on a positive note, securing a round-one victory over the Hurricanes in Christchurch.
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It was Kyle Preston, a former Hurricanes wider training squad member, who took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring a hat trick after coming on just nine minutes into the game.
The Crusaders were helped by some fantastic performances all across the park, with All Black winger Sevu Reece kicking off the new season with a bang and 27-year-old lock Antonio Shalfoon showcasing his work ethic over a full 80-minute performance.
Crusaders captain David Havili was pleased with his team’s effort and resilience after a tough 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
“The boys really worked hard in our preseason. We’re just seeing the results of that now and coming off the back of last year, we want to put on an awesome show for our fans,” Havili told Kirstie Stanway-Thorne on Sky Sport.
“It’s quite tough this year, but we stayed tight and worked on what we needed to last year and yeah we’re on the right roll now.”
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Havili said that at halftime they talked about how they planned on using the ball in the second half.
“We spoke about holding the ball. There was a bit of a tough breeze, playing into that wind in the second half, but we wanted to hold the ball and put them under pressure.
“Once we built those phases, we let the likes of Will (Jordan) and Sevu (Reece) get in those wide channels and the forwards did a great job up front to create us the momentum.”
It didn’t take long for reserve halfback Kyle Preston to stamp his mark on the game, scoring within 10 minutes of his 70-minute-long cameo off the bench.
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The Crusaders captain was impressed with Preston’s performance and willingness to leave Wellington in search of more game-time.
“We’ve been seeing it for Wellington, for him to come down here and go out on a limb and put himself in the uncomfortable is huge.
“You’re just seeing how good he is, so credit to him for coming down and we’re really blessed to have him,” Havili said.
Stanway asked Havili about how big of a moment it is for him and his family to captain the Crusaders, a team he’s spent a decade with.
“It’s pretty emotional being able to lead this team. I just want to go out there and play well and play well for this crowd.
“So yeah, hugely honoured to be leading the team.”
The Crusaders take on the Chiefs next Friday evening at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
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David Havilli was an inspired choice as captain for the Crusaders, brilliant. As article says , Antonio Shalfoon , a real force at lock. He and Scott Barrett , fantastic p[airing. Ethan Blackadder is a machine. Like his Dad Todd Blackadder , he is relentless. Kyle Preston off the bench, genius display.
Gush gush gush!
Agree Shalfoon stood out with his work rate and toughness. This game was a great advertisement for SR with speed, skill, drama and tries being scored. Plenty of players stood up for both teams who are not “name” players and provide reassurance that opportunity brings out the talent bubbling under the surface. This is why I agree the Mounga “question” should not be answered by changing eligibility requirements.
Antonio Shalfoon did stand out with his” work rate and toughness.” He and Scott Barrett are quite a combination. We will Jamie Hannah and Quinten Strange back soon. Liam Jack has a big future too. Plenty of depth at lock in this country.
How did you make that leap OB? You think picking from overseas is going to give a chance for players not considered worth keeping?
I really can’t see the ABs having wildcard selections like that. A player given a chance overseas would need to be performing so far and away above his peers I just can’t see it happening.
If that same player stays in NZ, or more to the point, is somehow able to be compared to other selections, they then don’t need to perform to such extraordinary levels. The issue being a lot of the time that player just wont get lucky enough for a string of injuries to push him to the front and give him a chance. Sure, look at Moananu last night, absolutely killed it, but how many others of him are there not in as fortunate a situation?
I can definitely see opening eligibility up to Aussie SR teams to help with your situation, but not Japanese from the standards I’ve witnessed this season.