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Ian Foster gives his verdict on David Havili's All Blacks return
Returning to the All Blacks for the first time since 2017, David Havili’s initial outing as a test match second five-eighths proved a physically demanding prospect, as he came up against the ‘Demolition Man’ himself in La Rochelle and Fiji’s Levani Botia.
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Both men have enjoyed excellent seasons with their respective clubs this year, with Botia a part of Ronan O’Gara’s side that reached both the Top 14 and European Champions Cup finals in 2021.
Similarly, Havili has enjoyed a fantastic season with the Crusaders in 2021, making ten starts in the No. 12 jersey and being many people’s pick for the form second-five in the country at the moment. Indeed, with Ngani Laumape taking up a contract at Stade Francais and injuries to Anton Lienert-Brown and Crusaders teammate Jack Goodhue, Havili seemed a shoe-in for Foster’s squad.
Against Fiji, Havili played a key role, finishing the night with two tries, a try assist and four defenders beaten. Despite receiving a late yellow card, All Blacks head coach Ian Foster was on the whole, happy with the 26-year-old’s performance in his post-match interview.
“I thought he was probably a little bit nervous at the start,” commented Foster. “There were a few [in the team] like that I thought. Things didn’t always go smoothly [for Havili] – I think he missed a clean and a couple of little things. But I like the fact that he stayed in the game.”
Havili, a key playmaker in a champion Crusaders side in 2021, brought his versatile skill-set and ability to the All Blacks on the night, stepping in at first receiver on occasion and also showing an apt finishing ability.
“He had some good reads off some of those lineout mauls that collapsed and scored a couple of tries through that,” said Foster. “I thought he grew as the game went on. Overall, I was pretty satisfied.”
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Another who made their way into the game, was Southland and Highlanders man Ethan de Groot, coming on in the 50th minute to make his All Blacks debut.
The 22-year-old was rightly thrilled with the support he received down in Dunedin, with plenty of noise in the stands coming from travelling fans from the Southland region.
“It’s [an] unreal [feeling],” said de Groot. “Being capped at home in front of all my friends and family was awesome. It’s unreal to have the Southlanders up in Dunedin watching the All Blacks.”
This hit from the Demolition Man ?? #NZLvFIJ pic.twitter.com/7qrDHjiwxa
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 11, 2021
De Groot’s Highlanders team mate Aaron Smith, who was given the captaincy against Fiji was proud to see de Groot’s efforts pay off.
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“I thought he did awesome tonight,” said Smith. “It was a big week, a big occasion and a lot was going on for him, but I think in the last 14 days with this group he’s really grown. I was really impressed with him last week around his preparation … I gave him a few tips around what to try and do and … I think he did really well.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments