Crusaders boosted by captain David Havili's re-signing

Crusaders captain David Havili has re-signed with the Crusaders until after the 2027 World Cup.

The decision by Havili, 30, to re-commit to the franchise and New Zealand Rugby is a boost for the red and blacks because his leadership is a big reason they are currently second on the Super Rugby Pacific table behind the Chiefs.

The Crusaders’ worst performances this season have come when Havili has been sidelined – such as their defeat at home to Moana Pasifika.

The midfielder will also likely form an important senior element to Scott Robertson’s first All Blacks’ squad of the year which will be named on June 23.

Havili, in his 10th season at the Crusaders, said playing 150 games for the franchise was a big goal, as well as playing in the new Te Kaha Stadium in the Christchurch city centre.

The stadium, due to open in April next year, will replace their temporary stadium in Addington, built after the 2011 earthquakes, as their new home.

"I've really enjoyed the opportunity to lead the boys this year and the success we've had,” he said. “I'm so glad to have signed on for another couple of years and keep this train rolling."

Havili, who has also fulfilled important leadership roles at Tasman, first joined the Crusaders in 2015 and was named Crusaders Player of Year in 2017.

"When I first came in, it was the greats of this club that were still here; Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read just to name a few. That's what set me up in my younger days; to see what it meant to them to be a Crusader, what it takes to be a professional and perform at the highest level.

"Those are the things that I learnt from them, and I want to pass that on to our next generation to keep this club where it needs to be and that's at the top."

Chiefs and All Blacks loose forward Wallace Sititi also recently announced his re-signing until 2027.