Captain David Havili to quit Crusaders for Japan in 2027, after All Blacks omission
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
The Crusaders are set to need a complete new midfield after confirmation captain and former All Black David Havili is leaving for Japan.
Havili - omitted from Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad on Monday - confirmed on Tuesday morning that 2026 was his last season as a Crusader with the 32-test midfielder set to take up a new opportunity at a yet-to-be-named Japanese club.
Havili said his decision to leave New Zealand had been made before the All Blacks team naming and that he had been thinking about his future since the end of last year.
The 31-year-old joins two other ex-All Black midfielders Braydon Ennor (France) and Dallas McLeod (England) heading offshore.
That leaves All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku as the only experienced midfielder on the Crusaders’ books, but he has made the switch to open side flanker.
Havili’s departure will be offset by the return of seven-time Super Rugby champion first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga after three years with Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus.
A Crusaders statement said Havili, who made his Super Rugby debut in 2015, had “grown into one of the club’s most respected figures, going on to play more thn 150 games and lead the side into a new era.”
Havili, from Nelson, took over the Crusaders captaincy in 2025 and led the team to a 15th Super Rugby title. He was also in charge for the shift to One NZ Stadium in 2026 where the Crusaders were unbeaten in five games.
Havili had been in top form this year and was considered unlucky not to make the All Blacks’ cut, but he could still technically be in contention for the 44-man squad for the South Africa tour.
Havili’s shift to Japan means he will pass up the chance to play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup under current NZ Rugby rules restricting selection to New Zealand-based players.
The decision, he said, in a statement, came with a deep sense of pride and gratitude.
“I definitely feel like it’s time for me to move on with the next generation coming through. The legacy is in great hands,” Haviili said.
“I’m very content. I know that I’ve done everything I can and I’m very proud of my journey and where I’ve come from. To be able to live out my dream here for around 15 years and be part of this legacy with some of the best players that have ever come through this club, it’s been an extreme honour.”
From his early days in a post-earthquake Christchurch, playing at Apollo Projects Stadium, to leading the side into a new chapter at One New Zealand Stadium, he had experienced the full breadth of what it means to be a Crusader.
The Crusaders said Havili’s leadership had been based on a deep respect for the jersey and a strong belief in leaving it in a better place for those who follow.
“The team’s in a great spot,’’ Havili said. ”With Scott Hansen coming in and strong talent coming through, it’s very exciting. There’s a lot of mana around that group and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
The Crusaders finished third this season, losing their semifinal to the Chiefs in Hamilton, but Havili took pride in what the group achieved and the foundation that’s been laid.
“To go from [ninth] in 2024 to winning another title and being back where we belong and sending off Apollo with a 32–0 record, that was probably the highlight of my career, leading this team to a title and I’m just so grateful that Penz [Rob Penney] gave me that opportunity to be able to do it.”
“It’s the people I’ll miss the most. The banter, travelling with the boys, those connections. Everyone cares about the jersey and has a common goal.
“To the fans, the organisation, past and present players; thank you so much for standing with me and being a part of my journey, I’ll never forget it. I’ll always be a Crusader.”
Havili, who played 155 games and scored 222 points for the Crusaders, said he now looks ahead to a new chapter in Japan.
“I’m excited for a different pace and a new challenge. I feel like I’ve still got more to give.”