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Canterbury - The Crusaders have announced that utility back David Havili has committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension through to 2019.
2017 will be Havili’s third season in the squad. He debuted
in 2015 and went on to earn 11 caps that season despite being in the wider
training group.
He stepped up another gear in 2016, and Crusaders head coach
Scott Robertson suspects that is still only a hint of the talent that this
young player possesses.
"David is a joy to watch play, with his combination of
grit and grace," Robertson told the Crusaders' official website.
"At just 21 years of age and only three years into his
professional career, Dave has very quickly made his mark, but I believe that
the best is yet to come.
"I look forward to working with him next season and
seeing him continue to develop into the formidable player I know he is going to
be."
Havili hails from the upper end of the Crusaders catchment,
and launched his professional career with Tasman in the 2014 national
provincial competition.
He is the son of former Nelson Bays winger Bill Havili and he
grew up in Motueka, playing his junior rugby for the Huia club then making his
way through the age grades at Motueka High School before switching to Nelson
College for his final year.
He also got a taste of international rugby when he made the
New Zealand U20 squad as an injury replacement for the 2014 IRB Junior World
Championship.
Havili said it was a straightforward decision to re-sign with the team that launched his Super Rugby career.
"As a Tasman boy, I am proud to be able to represent my
province in both the provincial competition and in Super Rugby," he
explained.
"I feel honoured every time I pull the Crusaders jersey
on, so there was no question that I would want to continue pulling it on for
the next few years.
"I am thrilled to have confirmed my contract through to 2019 and I am excited about regrouping with the team in about six weeks to start preparing for the 2017 season."
