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David Havili is a good player who could still add a bit to the All Blacks
I see that by the “unanimous’’ agreement of the Crusaders’ brains trust, that David Havili is the franchise’s new captain.
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And that’s exactly why I rarely care about who’s captain of any team.
These appointments are largely ceremonial and every decision is made by committee.
Now, of course, you can have lame duck captains or guys who are at least perceived to be lame ducks. They’re often those whose place in a side wouldn’t otherwise be assured.
The old campaigner who’s a shadow of their former selves or the company man who’s seen as the teacher’s pet.
In a Crusaders context Sam Whitelock was the leader of that team for years. Whether it was Kieran Read as captain, Whitelock himself or Scott Barrett, the guy whose presence, opinion and performances mattered most was Whitelock.
I like Havili. I think he’s a good player, who could still add a bit to the All Blacks.
It’s a misnomer to describe the All Blacks’ midfield as a combination or partnership. Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are ships in the night, meaning there’s no hope of any creativity coming from that part of the paddock.
They both carry hard when they’re required to, but they’re basically working on an individual basis. They’re certainly not facilitators for those outside them.
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Havili could be, but I doubt he’ll ever get another serious crack at a playmaking role with the All Blacks.
That’s an aside. What’s of more interest to me is the cult of the captain.
Scott Barrett, the All Blacks captain, remains an integral member of the Crusaders squad, while Codie Taylor was said to be another candidate to lead the side.
You can assume a variety of others, from Tom Christie and Ethan Blackadder, to Will Jordan and Mitchell Drummond will also be part of every decision-making process on or off the field.
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So why do we care who’s captain? This isn’t cricket, for instance, where the skipper still appears to be the dominant party.
This is rugby with guys in fluorescent bibs relaying instructions from the coaching box every other minute.
Other than media and corporate stuff, where is it that a rugby captain actually leads? Is it deciding whether to kick off or which end they want to start at? What?
According to Crusaders coach Rob Penney, the team’s leaders all believed Havili was the right man for the job. It’s almost as if Penney and Havili were peripheral figures in the process.
For better or worse, rugby teams are run by consensus, which is why the identity of the designated captain really isn’t that important.
I wish Havili well and recognise that it must be an honour to be the full-time captain of such a storied franchise.
But to linger on my point that we overplay the significance of captaincy, Havili’s success won’t be measured in how he conducts himself or even how he plays. It’ll come down to whether the Crusaders can win the Super Rugby Pacific title or not.
That’s because rugby is about the collective competence of the group, not the identity of the bloke who runs out first.
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Havilli lost his 2nd 5 position to Jordie Barrett some time ago and was clearly out of form as he returned from injury last year. I don’t think the door should be slammed on him at all but he needs to show the sort of form that actually challenges for a starting spot rather than just be a ‘utility back’ option for the bench.
His captaincy position at the Crusaders will raise his profile but what may be unanimously worthwhile for the Crusaders doesn’t necessarily hold true for the All Blacks too. The All Backs do need to find more depth of talent in the midfield however, so it will be worthwhile he can make a case for both himself and also other players around him.
The major problem with this is tge fact that whwnever hes had his chabces...he's failed against the top sides. He's to the backs what Sotutu is to the forwards in the ABs. All the goods until it counts. He'll be great as Saders skip as he wont have to be stood down for AB rest.
I guess the author hasn't heard of Sean Fitzpatrick, Richie McCaw, Martin Johnson, John Eales, François Pienaar, Thierry Dusatoir. No, sure, none of them had much influence on a rugby field beyond which way to play after the toss. Actually I suspect the reason you are fairly disinterested is that a journeyman stop gap player will probably be a journeyman stop gap captain.
Interesting article as always by Hamish Bidwell. While I do not entirely agree, that to do a degree, ( paraphrasing ), that Captain is not that important. I do think David Havili is a great choice as captain. The respect within the group is obvious you can tell the team is driven and united. Bidwell is right, David Havili has got more to offer the AB's . Codie Taylor is a real option as vice captain for the Crusaders and his fellow hooker George Bell appeals as a captain down the track. AB captain Scott Barrett , Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond others have vast experience. It is going to be great having the brilliant Will Jordan back. He is right about Sam Whitelock , he was huge in the leadership role in this team , not just when he captained the team winning 3 titles in a row, 2017-19. The comp had South African teams in it then. He had Barrett, Matt Todd, Kieran Read, Ryan Crotty and Havili himself as a support crew.
To add to my earlier comment . Quinten Strange , Makos captain as well. Another with vast experience under his belt. Captained Makos to there Ranfurly Shield win last year.
Havilli has had a lot of opportunity over a long time to nail a spot in the ABs squad. He’s had his chances.
Good on him if he can get better and crack it but I doubt it.
No, no he doesn't.
This article is very ignorant in that is ignores the previous years where JB was used very successfully as a playmaker, and weirdly assumes that JB and Reiko are actually being asked to play those roles being described.
In 2022/23 JB was a revelation at 12, then in 2024 was completely mediocre - hmmm I wonder what changed in that time. Maybe a new coach who has decided that midfielders entire role in the game will be to take crash balls and tackle.
Havili is also 30 years old, this would be a retrograde move in line with selecting Sam Cane in 2024. Please just stop begging to bring these guys back that have proving for years that they are not international standard. He is a solid SR player but absolute journeyman at international level.
Great writer, poor article. Leadership is everything in rugby, and Havilli is an outstanding leader. The Crusaders will flourish under Havilli, and that will be no coincidence. Had Havilli been at 12 for the world cup, NZ would have won. The J Barrett/R Ioane midfield partnership cost NZ the RWC. They are the worst All Black midfield of my half-century long lifetime. Havilli is a hugely underrated creator and makes all who play regularly with him shine in a way they never do when not being fed opportunities by him. He has been largely wasted by NZR, and it is a shame. Hopefully, he can make that clear in these last years of his career. Good luck David.
Havili is average. Stop letting your imagination run wild. He has never been a test quality player and should never be selected again for NZ. A good Sr player at best.
I agree with your comments re David Havili. He should have been at 12 outside of Richie Mo'unga at the last World Cup. He is a creator, no doubt . Jordie is a fine rugby player. But his combo with Reiko is not great. Like Canterbury great Warwick Taylor of the 80's and more recently David's fellow Crusaders great Ryan Crotty, he knows how to make players outside of him, shine.I agree, the Crusaders "will flourish "under his leadership.
Yes if you ignore all of his performances for the ABs except one this is all totally true.