Crusaders utility David Havili has emerged as a surprise candidate for the All Blacks No.10 jersey, after being named at first-five for the Super Rugby Pacific clash with Queensland Reds.
Coach Rob Penney admits he has made the selection at the suggestion of new national team boss and former Crusaders mentor Scott Robertson, who is beginning to formulate his squad to take on England and Fiji in July.
"I know what [Havili's] going to bring," said Penney. "He's an outstanding, world class talent and he has embraced the challenge of being a 10, which is so exciting.
"He's got all the attributes require of a world class 10 and him embracing that now gives us the opportunity to unleash him wholeheartedly in that area."
"We've talked about it often, just as a coaching group, but it wasn't until the All Blacks confirmed they were really interested in seeing him play there that there was a shift in a couple of people's minds to go that way."
Robertson has inherited an All Blacks squad without incumbent first-five Richie Mo'unga, who has taken up a contract with Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Veteran Beauden Barrett is expected to return from his Japan sabbatical to the national squad, Chiefs star Damian McKenzie will push hard for the position, while Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta and one-test Hurricanes pivot Brett Cameron are other options.
Havili, 29, has played fullback and midfield for the All Blacks, but has also filled the first-five spot under Robertson for the Crusaders.
"I'd say they'd be very excited about having Davy Havili in the mix, being able to play 10, 12, 13 and 15 really effectively, if required," said Penney. "He's such a versatile player.
"Doesn't that make an international bench really exciting? At the end of the day, there's lots of positive for the NZ game, and the flow-on from that is it's really positive for Davy and really positive for us."
Penney confirms Robertson has been in direct contract with that request.
"If we could slip him in there, they'd be very appreciative."
Mo'unga's departure has had a ripple effect through the Crusaders camp, where injuries and inexperience have not aided their rebuild. Next-in-line Fergus Burke has been sidelined with an Achilles tendon/calf injury all season, while Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara and Riley Hohepa have all been tried, with mixed success.
Reihana showed flashes of his ability in the 39-0 win over Melbourne Rebels last week and probably thought he had done enough to hold down the jersey moving forward.
"Rivez has been really good," admitted Penney. "The poor guy had 50 minutes in the first game, and then five games out and a couple of cameos off the bench.
"We're really pleased with Rivez's contribution and he'll get better. It is a bit of a tough call on Rivez, but Davy's world class and is a great leader in the environment, with a proven record.
"He has an opportunity now to establish himself."
Penney is excited by the prospect of combining Havili, All Blacks midfielder Dallas McLeod and blockbusting centre Levi Aumua in the same line-up, as they try to break into playoffs contention with a third win this weekend.
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