David Havili Named Crusaders Captain for 2025

The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific is fast approaching and with the first preseason game next week, the Crusaders are excited to announce David Havili as our Captain for the 2025 season.

Havili has 128 appearances for the Crusaders and five All Black tours under his belt since debuting in 2015, he was named Vice Captain in 2020 and has long been part of the squads' all-important Leadership Group.

No stranger to captaining in the red and black jersey, Havili has led the side on several occasions over the years when his predecessor, Scott Barrett, was unavailable for selection and captained his provincial side, Tasman Makos, to victory for the 2019 and 2020 seasons of NPC.

Straight off the bat from holidaying in hometown Motueka over the Christmas period, Havili returns to camp this week and addressed the group for the first time Wednesday morning as captain.

“It’s very humbling. I was pretty blown away when Penney approached me,” said Havili,“this is certainly the proudest moment I have had for a while. The Crusaders are all about community, and I love this team”.

Head Coach, Rob Penney said “we’ve already seen Davey prove himself in this role over the last couple of years, he’s a man that cares deeply about the team and their way forward. He is going to be exceptional”.