He was one of the big winners in the All Blacks World Cup squad, but David Havili has revealed he began to doubt whether his dream would ever become a reality, after another injury setback.
Havili has played just 40 minutes of rugby, since injuring his hamstring in May, and the 25-test midfielder is one of several All Blacks who have overcome recent injuries setbacks to book a ticket to France.
Day one of the All Blacks World Cup squad camp was more about community than rugby.
"Today’s really special to get grounded again and start building our connections as a team, and stuff like this is really helpful," halfback Aaron Smith said.
It’s quite the change of scene from Monday night's squad unveiling - one that marked a special return for Havili, overcoming a hamstring injury to cement his spot on the plane to France
"I think the toughest part was getting through the rehab and not knowing when the return was," he said.
"Yeah, I think so, at the start it definitely did," he said, when asked if he felt his chance had slipped away.
He leaned on those who've been in his shoes before to help guide him through the struggles.
"Israel Dagg’s been a big one for me over the last couple of years... some guys who are unlucky not to be here, like Sevu Reece and George Bower, so those guys have been really helpful," Havili explained.
The door was never shut on Havili’s World Cup ambitions.
"He’s always been in our mind," Foster said.
The road to France has been a tricky one for loose forward Luke Jacobson as well.
His World Cup dream was shattered four years ago, forced home with a concussion before a game had even been played.
Throwing himself back into contact after that was not easy.
"I lost that confidence for a little while," Jacobson revealed. "It's not something I thought about on the regular, but now looking back, I notice it probably was the case."
Damian McKenzie is another whose World Cup was over before it began in 2019, tearing the ACL in his knee during Super Rugby. That setback fuelled his desire to make it to France.
"It’s something I’ve been targeting given the last time the World Cup was around and not being able to go on that," McKenzie said.
Foster has faith this group can go deep in France, but admits they have their work cut out to secure a fourth World Cup.
"World Cups are tough, because they come down to performing each week," he said. "Look at the football and look at teams like the USA getting knocked out."
The All Blacks will work to ensure they don’t suffer a similar fate.
