Oarsome legacy to uphold in Tokyo Havili happier now in Crusaders midfield
It may not contain the same star pulling power as previous Olympic squads but the New Zealand rowing team should again be a major provider of medals in Tokyo.
There will be nine Kiwi boats in action at the Olympics starting next month, and six of those entries could be considered genuine medal contenders.
New Zealand won three rowing medals (two gold and a silver) at the 2016 Rio Olympics after collecting five (three gold and two bronze) four years previously in London.
Rowing shares top spot with athletics as New Zealand’s most prolific Olympics medal-winning sport with 24 apiece, just ahead of sailing (22).
The team for the postponed 2020 Olympics won’t feature retired three-time men’s single scull medallist Mahe Drysdale, but does include two-time men’s pair champion Hamish Bond, who is part of the Kiwi eight.
Among the leading medal contenders will be the women’s pair and women’s eight, with Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast joining forces in the pair and they’ve also been included in the eight.
Prendergast told Stuff yesterday at Lake Karapiro that the duo were confident they could be at their best in both events and wanted to be part of the eight, for which a squad of 10 rowers was named.
The duo were part of the eight which won gold at the 2019 world championships and pulled off the double triumph at that regatta with a win in the pair also.
They were also world champions in the pair in 2017 and silver medallists in 2018, and part of the world championship-winning four in 2014. The selectors did make a notable change to the women’s double sculls combination which had won two golds and a silver at the past three world championships. Hannah Osborne will join Brooke Donoghue in the new combination, with Olivia Loe swapping to the quad despite her string of successes alongside Donoghue since Rio.
Osborne stepped into the void in the single scull left temporarily by Emma Twigg in 2017 and 2018 and was part of the quad which qualified for Tokyo.
Jordan Parry has replaced Drysdale in the men’s single scull, while Jack Lopas will also make his Olympics debut in the men’s double with Chris Harris.
At 21, Dan Williamson is the youngest squad member and is part of the men’s eight. The boat gained a spot in Tokyo at the final Olympic qualification regatta this month at Lucerne.
It’s fair to say playing in the midfield has grown on David Havili.
Not overly enthused about swapping the space which comes with playing fullback for the rigours of the congested midfield at the start of the year, he now acknowledges it’s been a good move for him.
In fact, the 26-year-old has been so effective in the No 12 jersey for the Crusaders he’s well and truly thrust himself into All Blacks contention.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson is among those who believe All Blacks coach Ian Foster should recall the three-test All Black when he names his first squad of the year this month.
Havili, who made no secret he wanted to earn an All Blacks recall when he re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders through 2023 late last year, hears the noise but is keeping his head down.
‘‘I’m just doing what I can for the Crusaders at the moment, and I think that’s made my job a lot easier where I’m playing one position the whole time. I’ve been enjoying 12, the body is getting used to it now. I’m just trying to stay in my lane and, I guess, focus on what I can for my team to get us into the next final.’’
Havili has repeatedly told media he prefers fullback, where fellow Tasman Mako Will Jordan is playing, but acknowledges playing in the midfield at Super Rugby level has only made him more valuable.
The Crusaders vice-captain’s experience in the No 12 jersey didn’t get off to a good start this season, concussed in the opening couple of minutes of his first preseason game.
But it’s been all positive since, with his silky passing and kicking game alongside pivot Richie Mo’unga adding another dimension to the Crusaders’ attack.
‘‘I think I’ve added another string to my bow. I know I can play fullback at the next level because I’ve done it
What: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman,Crusaders v Rebels.
When, where: Today 4.35pm; Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Brodie McAlister, George Bower. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele.
Rebels: George Worth, Frank Lomani, Andrew Kellaway, Glen Vaihu, Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Trevor Hosea, Robert Leota, Carbous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr. Reserves: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Rhys van Nek, Steve Cummins, Ross Haylett-Petty, James Tuttle, Young Tonumaipea, Ilikena Vudogo.
before, but it was a new test for me this year,’’ Havili said. ‘‘Working with [assistants] Tamati Ellison and Goody [Andrew Goodman], they’ve been really good to me. They’re both ex-midfielders. ’’
Regarded as a Swiss Army Knife due to his ability to play anywhere in the backs from 10 to 15, Havili had previous experience at second five-eighth.
He started the last three games there in his rookie season in 2015, before starting eight more games at second five-eighth in 2016. Havili also predominantly played there for Tasman in 2018.
‘‘I think I was a lot smaller back then, and I think you can get away with it a wee bit at [NPC] being smaller,’’ he said. ‘‘At Super Rugby there is no hiding. You have to be able to be strong in defence, ball carry, have to be able to get over the gain line.
‘‘It’s been good being able to put on a few kilograms and combat that. It’s been a battle I’ve enjoyed this year.’’ Havili will make his 13th start of the season in the No12 jersey in Sydney this afternoon when the Crusaders play the Rebels in pursuit of a spot in the trans-Tasman final.