Scott Robertson behind David Havili move to first five-eighth

Another year, another positional change for Crusaders utility David Havili.

Having always raved about Swiss Army knife Havili, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is behind his shift from the midfield to first five-eighth for the defending Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific champs.

Only time will tell if it’s a permanent one but, a few years after Robertson converted him from a fullback to a midfielder, it looks to be for the Crusaders in 2024, starting against the Reds in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

It sure suits the Crusaders, who remain without the injured Fergus Burke (calf), and have chopped and changed at the most important position all season.

Havili, of course, has played No 10 for the Crusaders before, including against the Chiefs in round two of the 2022 season, when he set up a couple of tries in Hamilton.

It’s a big swing from Crusaders coach Rob Penney, who earlier this season said moving Havili to No 10 wasn’t in the pipeline due to the 29-year-old’s aspirations to be one of the best midfielders in the country.

It raises further questions regarding 21-year-old Taha Kemara’s development, now playing club rugby in Christchurch.

The Crusaders play the Reds tomorrow at 4.35pm tomorrow.

In other games, the Hurricanes host the Waratahs at 7.05 tonight while the Rebels meet the Blues at 9.35pm.

Moana Pasifika play the Highlanders in Tonga at 2.05pm tomorrow, the Chiefs meet the Force at 7.05pm tomorrow, while the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua play the Brumbies at 9.35pm in Canberra.

[Source: Stuff.co]

Round 13