Recalled All Black David Havili 'taking steps in the right direction'
Saturday night’s battle for the Bledisloe presented the new All Blacks midfield with a second opportunity to build their partnership and while there may have been a few hiccups, signs were promising.
David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown first linked up in New Zealand’s final test of July against Fiji and although both showed signs of individual brilliance, it was clear that the pair would need to spend more time together in the saddle before they’d threaten as a combination.
The pair roomed together ahead of this weekend’s test and were named in the No 12 and 13 jerseys for Saturday’s fixture, fighting off the likes of Rieko Ioane, who slotted in on the left wing, and Quinn Tupaea, who was eventually released to play for Waikato on Sunday.
While Lienert-Brown has been a constant presence in the All Blacks midfield over the last five years, Havili only made his return to the national squad this season after first debuting in 2018.
The Tasman and Crusaders utility has regularly spoken of his preference for playing at fullback but was called upon to fill the Crusaders No 12 jersey this year, ultimately starting 11 of his 12 Super Rugby matches in the midfield.
Following Saturday’s win, Havili admitted that he’s slowly starting to come to terms with his new role and that’s he’s focussing on building on his combination with Lienert-Brown.
“I think I’m taking steps in the right direction,” he said. “I’ve been helped a lot around moving to 12 with a lot of players and around my club side as well. I’m still learning and I just want to be a sponge off the likes of Rieko and Anton in the midfield there so I can get the best out of myself and do the best for this team.
“I’m really enjoying playing in the midfield. I know I’ve said in the past that 15 was my preferred position but at the moment, I’m comfortable there and I’m looking forward to building more of those connections in the midfield and seeing where I can get myself.”
While Havili notched up a handful of tests in his debut season with the All Blacks three years ago, Saturday presented the 26-year-old with his first start against a tier-one side, following starts against Fiji last month.
Havili said the match against the Wallabies was exactly the kind of physical contest he’d been anticipating from his first Bledisloe Cup encounter.
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“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “[I’d] expect nothing less from a Bledisloe. Physicality was right there. The tempo was there at the start and towards the end.
“It was good for me to experience that and playing with Anton was pretty cool. [It’s a] good combo. [There’s] a few things we’ll work on during the week but [it was] a step forward in the right direction.”
Havili was always a willing ball-runner in the midfield and finished the match with the second-most carries of any All Black. He also beat four defenders – just two fewer than fullback Damian McKenzie, and made 11 tackles, the most of any NZ back.
Tupaea is an option to start at No 12 next weekend while Ioane could slide into the centre role but the most likely option is Ian Foster sticks with this week’s combination for a third successive test.
Since Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith called time on their test careers following the 2015 Rugby World Cup triumph, New Zealand have struggled to build a perfect partnership in the midfield. Whether Havili and Lienert-Brown could be that partnership remains to be seen – but it’s something that can only be determined after they’ve spent ample time on the field together.
The All Blacks’ 33-25 win on Saturday night means Australia needs to win the final two Bledisloe Cup fixtures of the year in order to wrestle the Cup off NZ for the first time since 2002.
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments