Better late than never for Havili
All Blacks midfielder David Havili is itching to take the field again for Saturday’s series decider against Ireland after watching the first test on the TV and the second from the stands.
The Crusaders utility has been selected to start at second-five at Sky Stadium in Wellington, replacing Quinn Tupaea in what will be Havili’s first test of 2022 after being laid low with Covid-19.
Havili contracted the virus in the lead-up to the first test in Auckland, ruling him and two others out of the series opener, which the All Blacks won, and he was left out of the match-day squad for the second game in Dunedin, which they lost, as he continued to work his way back up to full health.
‘‘It was pretty frustrating,’’ Havili admitted. ‘‘But I’ve dodged it for almost a year now so I was probably due.
‘‘Like everyone I was just couchridden for a few days and lost a wee bit of taste, so I just sat on the couch and caught up on a bit of Netflix.
‘‘Once you start feeling well you start feeling a little bit bored, and that was the main thing for me, the boredom of staying at home.’’
Havili had tried to look on the bright side though and said the timing of his sickness may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed the Super Rugby Pacific champion to get over some of the injuries he had been carrying throughout the Crusaders’ championship-winning campaign. ‘‘To be able to do that was really good and now I’m feeling fresh and ready to go.
‘‘You’re on your toes watching pretty intensely but it was actually pretty good to just have a bit of time at home with my partner and just chill out.
‘‘I’ve come back now and I’m ready to go.’’
With the series locked at 1-1, the heat is on the All Blacks to win, and win well, in Wellington, so Havili will need to hit the ground running in what is arguably the biggest test of his 15-game international rugby career, which started when he made his debut against Argentina in 2017.
‘‘It’s just great to be back in the environment and to get the opportunity this weekend in the decider is going to be extra special.
‘‘It’s something I’m looking forward to. I’ve been in a few big games but it’s nothing different in terms of preparation.
‘‘You’re going to get moments in the game where we need to execute and that’s what we’ve got to do.
‘‘Hopefully I can take some of the experience from Super finals and other games in the All Blacks jersey into this weekend.’’
Opposing Havili today will be former Chiefs midfielder Bundee Aki, who has been brought into the starting XV in the only change to the Ireland team following last weekend.