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'We can show how good we are': David Havili backs All Blacks to lift for Ellis Park
All Blacks second five-eighth David Havili is looking to atone for his personal performance in Mbombela as the team travelled to Johannesburg to prepare for a test match at the hostile Ellis Park.
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The All Blacks backs showed more intent in the first test against South Africa but the final execution was still not there as they struggled to manufacture line breaks and points.
The Crusaders midfielder said they are looking ‘to make it right’ at Ellis Park as the pressure grows on an embattled All Blacks side that has just one win from their last six tests.
“We are definitely not happy with the way we performed and we want to make it right this week,” Havili told media.
“The effort was there and we are trying bloody hard.
“It’s just a few things that aren’t sticking and when they do, I know that we will be back on the horse.”
Havili returned to the No 12 jersey for the third test against Ireland and hasn’t yet found the form at test level that he has shown with the Crusaders.
He is trying to develop a new midfield combination with Blues centre Rieko Ioane at the same time as finding his feet again at international level after his initial debut in 2017.
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The 27-year-old said he missed a couple of opportunities in Mbombela, one of which was a key drop in the 31st minute as the All Blacks were building nicely on attack after a long period without territory or possession.
He said at the international level the windows of opportunities are few and far between as the defences shut down time and space quicker.
“I think there is just a wee bit more on the line, and you get less opportunities in big test matches,” he said.
“Its fair to say that personally, I missed a couple as well and I’m definitely working hard to make sure I execute them this week if I get that opportunity.
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“Those are the small moments that you’ve got to win at this level. We don’t shy away from that.”
On what the All Blacks are planning in order to combat the high pressure defence from the Springboks, Havili said that there will be more to it than just adjusting their depth.
The All Blacks are confident that they had created chances against South Africa that they just didn’t capitalise on.
“It’s a bit more than that [standing deeper], it’s just taking the opportunities in front of us you know,” he said.
“We are creating opportunities we are just not executing them at the right time.
“There is a lot in our game that is creating those opportunities for us and it’s about just taking our moments.
“We spoke about just nailing our stuff in that moment, there were a few times where we didn’t and got it wrong.”
Havili’s last trip to South Africa with the All Blacks was a success, he was a part of the side that defeated the Springboks 25-24 at Newlands in Cape Town in 2017.
This week will be a new experience at Ellis Park in the black jersey however he was a part of the Crusaders side that overcame a 5-0 halftime deficit in the 2017 Super Rugby final to beat the Lions.
He said the side is keeping an open mind with a desire to play an open game and prove to the world who the All Blacks are.
“We’re coming here with an open mind, we want to play some attacking rugby and I feel like once we do that, we can show how good we are,” he said.
“But the Boks do a great job of starving us of the ball and putting us under pressure, so that’s what we will be working on this week.
“It’s an exciting challenge for myself, I love playing at Ellis Park. We haven’t had the opportunity to come here and do it in a long time.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“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.
10 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.
25 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.
10 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments