The incredible rise of David Havili

David Havili a student of Nelson College will become an All Black tomorrow should he come on off the bench in Buenos Aires.

An incredible story considering while at secondary school he struggled to make his first team, getting the majority of his game time with the seconds.

“I sat on the bench quite a lot. I guess I didn’t get the opportunities back then but I was still keen to see how far rugby could take me and I persevered into club rugby,” said Havili.

After school Havilli began work as a builder for a family friend, continuing to play club rugby for Nelson.

It was from this grassroots club level environment that Havilli began to make a name for himself, earning a call-up to the Baby Blacks for the Junior World Cup and from there he got his first Mitre 10 contract with Tasman Makos.

In 2015 he was offered a spot on the wider Crusaders training squad, eventually making the number fifteen jersey his own and in the process winning the Super Rugby title.

“We’re really proud of him and to get a first cap in an All Black jersey is amazing. From where he started as a really shy young boy only three years ago to the leader he is now, he’s worked really hard and come a really long way and he thoroughly deserves it,” said former All Black and Tasman Makos coach Leon MacDonald.

Taking the path less trodden certainly appears to have worked for Havili, regardless of whether or not he gets off the bench tomorrow night.