David Havili still ‘100% keen’ to play for the All Blacks in South Africa despite confirming Japan move

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

ANALYSIS: Crusaders captain David Havili should still have a role for the All Blacks in South Africa despite confirming a move to Japan next year.

The 31-year-old was omitted from Dave Rennie’s first Nations Championship squad of 34 on Monday, and on Tuesday morning announced he is to join a yet-to-be-named Japanese club on a two-year contract.

But Havili indicated the timing was coincidental. He had already made his mind up before a recent talk with Rennie.

“It’s been in the back of my mind for a long time now, especially after [missing All Blacks selection] last year,’’ he said. “It was meant to come out straight after the [Super Rugby] season, but it didn’t pan out, so today was the best time to get it out…”

But Havili, who will play a final NPC season with his beloved Tasman Mako, remains “100%” keen to go to South Africa with the All Blacks if selected.

“If your country comes calling, you’ll always say yes, I’m definitely available. I’ll leave that up to the selectors,’’ he said, adding, in the meantime that he’s “firmly ready to get up to Nelson and enjoy a bit of fishing”.

It would make sense for Rennie to call on experienced hands like Havili when he adds 10 players to his South African tour squad.

The 32-test midfielder, Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi and the likes of Crusaders comrades Christian Lio-Willie and Ethan Blackadder are the sort of seasoned pros needed to lead the team in the four provincial fixtures.

Rennie will want to spell his test frontliners so Havili could fill the role of midweek team captain in much the same way John Mitchell did in Europe in 1993 and Todd Blackadder in South Africa in 1996.

There is plenty of precedent for picking All Blacks as they get set to head offshore. It happens at every World Cup.

Don’t forget Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo has been named for a potential All Blacks debut despite signing a deal with English club Newcastle.

Havili was contracted to the Crusaders to the end of 2027 after penning an extension last year, but he was “grateful” to NZR for granting him a break clause which has allowed him to forego his final season.

Exercising that was a big call with the 2027 World Cup beckoning, but it is also a pragmatic decision with Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor ensconced in midfield.

After being dropped from the All Blacks by Scott Robertson last year, Havili set himself new goals: He first headed home to Tasman determined to help develop young talents like Crusaders rookies Cooper Roberts and Cooper Grant.

He also wanted to lead the Crusaders at the new stadium and play well.

The 2026 boxes were ticked with the skipper a standout as the Crusaders won their first five games at One NZ Stadium.

Havili leaves with no regrets after 55 games, for 222 points and eight Super Rugby winners’ rings since 2015.

As a green-eyed teen he came into a team led by Dan Carter, Sam Whitelock, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, and has striven to pass some of that wisdom on for the next generation.

He was part of the side that broke an eight-year drought to win the 2017 title in Johannesburg, but Havili points to captaining the 2025 champion team as his Crusaders pinnacle.

“To go from [ninth] in 2024 to winning another title and being back where we belong and sending off Apollo [Projects Stadium] with a 32–0 [playoffs] 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.”

He grew up dreaming of becoming a Crusader and an All Blacks and leaves content.

“What I’ve done in both jerseys. I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams.”