Havili primed to hook into NRL opportunity

Warriors’ hooker Siliva Havili knows all about the roller-coaster nature of playing in the NRL.

The 22-year old had a tumultuous past year in which he rose to the summit of Kiwis test selection after just three NRL appearances before plunging into the relative obscurity of the NSW Cup.

With Thomas Leuluai and Nathan Friend sharing a mortgage on the Warriors’ No 9 jersey, Havili was realistic about his NRL playing prospects but then found his development stalled as he struggled with a spate of niggling injuries.

If those setbacks weren’t frustrat- ing enough he then had to come to terms with news that Issac Luke would be joining the club next year on a three-year deal.

“I found it pretty hard. It’s going to be pretty hard for me to get in game time,” Havili said.

“[But] I’ve got to take my opportunities and keep working hard.

“I’ve been with Issac Luke in the Kiwis camp myself and he’s a great player to be alongside to learn off.

“I was frustrated at the way things panned out for me but that’s footy. We’ll just see how things go throughout the rest of the year.”

It took Thomas Leuluai’s misfortune and a season-ending knee injury to open the door for Havili to make

I’ve got to take my opportunities and keep

working hard. Siliva Havili, Warriors hooker

his seventh NRL appearance off the bench in Sunday’s clash against the Newcastle Knights.

“It’s been a real long time but it’s an opportunity I’ve been waiting for and now I must take it,” he said.

“It’s a big chance for me. NRL is the benchmark and we all want to play at that level for the rest of our careers.

“It’s been good for my mindset having the bye before this week’s game. It’s given me time to think about my role and what I can do and the best ways I can prepare myself mentally and physically.”

Coach Andrew McFadden says Havili has had a tough time since wearing the black jersey in last year’s Anzac test but says he has shown a willingness to make adjustments to improve and develop his game.

“He’s had his moments where he’s got frustrated but that’s what young kids do,” McFadden said.

“Sometimes they find it hard to be consistent but that’s what we’re trying to really encourage now.

“He understands what the expectation is around the organisation now and he’s made some real improvements around his physique and his body. He’s got the potential; now it’s time to put it out on the field.”

Looking beyond this season, McFadden was frank about Havili’s place in the grand scheme of things.

“At this stage he sits behind Issac and a bit of the reason he sits there is because in the modern game it’s a real value to have an 80-minute hooker,” McFadden said.

“Siliva would admit he can’t get through 80 minutes of first grade so that’s where Nathan and Tommy, at a pinch, could play 80 minutes as well.

“That’s the level he’s trying to get to and if he gets there then he’s certainly got a bigger future than he already has.”