June 13, 2025 • 10 mins
The Crusaders feel last season's pain has been this season's gain.
And for seasons to come.
The perennial Super Rugby contenders have shrugged off the agony of missing the finals in 2024, to now be hosting this year's final.
Crusaders captain David Havili says last year's suffering was worth it.
He told Piney it wasn’t ideal at the time, but there were huge learnings to come of it, which has set them up for this year and the years to come.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sada's home Super Rugby playoff winning streak has been extended
to thirty one games. They've beaten the Blues twenty one
to fourteen in the semi final in christ Church, meaning
they'll host next weekend's Grand final against either the Brumbies
or the Chiefs. The Blues raced out to a fourteen
yer lead courtesy if tries to Mark Talaya and Record Yowani.
The Crusaders leveled proceedings by halftime, though Tom Christy and
(00:34):
Will Jordan crashing over and Jordan scored the winning try
in the seventieth minute. The Crusaders then withstood a Blues
onslaught for more than six minutes after the final hooter
to eventually close it out. Crusaders captain David Avilia is
with us. David, thanks for your time, Congratulations on the win.
Can we start at the ends. You went off with
(00:55):
about what ten minutes to go, so you had to
watch on from the sidelines as the Blues hammered away
and hammered away and hammered away your line. How was
your heart rate as your side repelled what up to
forty phases.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, it's pretty high, I think is yeah a special
defense hits on the boaster. I guess, yeah, go bloody
seven minutes deep into injury time and yeah, so stoked
that we could get that turnover and you get that one.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
What were the emotions when the turnover finally came. I
think about the eighty seventh minute rivers Rayhanna boots it
out of the ground. You're into the final How the
emotions at that point.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah, pretty happy. You just really related for those for
the boys that were on there at the and that
time to get that turnover and miss huge defense set
that ultimately won us Again.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
What sort of conversations were going on in the first
half when you find yourself fourteen kneeled down.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
We're just really calm, decisive conversations between the leaders and
there's been nothing that we haven't seen before been in
those moments, so really calm circle. We knew what we
had to do. The blue started really well with a
couple of tries early and then we got the yellow cards,
so they had it with momentum. We knew we'd get
(02:14):
our opportunities and it was about making sure that we
took them when we got them, and I thought that
our full pack really stood up in the huge moments
to be able to scrum for penalty, get him the
corner and then get us territory.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
There seem to be some real genuine feeling in this one,
the Auckland Canterbury rivalry, which goes back decades, as you know.
Was that something that you embraced during the build up
to this.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Game, Yeah, for sure. The I think the game in general,
we've been a semi final, we're just embracing These are
the weeks who want to be a part of right
He's only four teams left at that point, and we
just wanted to make sure that we can earn ourselves
another Monday, and we did that and it was such
a great performance and them so happy for those boys
(03:01):
that he got the job done in the end.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Sport is emotion all, certainly for us as fan and
I'm sure for the players as well. I mean, you're
famously calm in big moments, but I think I saw
you making a point to a j Lamb after Will
Jordan crashed over to score. Do you allow emotion to
fuel you at the right times.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
At the right time certainly. I think, you know that's
given it twice a few times sort of when they scored.
So it's tony fare that you get the chance to
build it back. So but look, I think what really
really pleased me was the way that we just stayed
in it. We could have gone either way in that
first half, and then when we really worked our way
(03:42):
back into the game. Was so happy that we could
get in front and guys like Will and Scooter Aboret,
they just stood up in the big moments.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Two more tries for Will Jordan last night, not not
really characteristic Will Jordan tries I can go from a
yard out. Isn't really his normal mode of scoring nine
for the season now forty seven in Super Rugby all time.
He wasn't there at all last season. Of course. Can
you articulate Will Jordan's impact on the side.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Yeah, he's huge. He's a massive game driver for us
and you know, just having him on the park is
a mess of strike weapon and just the knowledge around
the game he has is massive, and he's another big
driver as long as River's very hard and like he's
been driving the big boys around the park and just
giving the urchy and then popping up when we needed to,
and like you said, he's been one on one hell
(04:32):
of a square on streak, and yeah, hopefully they're continuous.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
You mentioned Rivers there, how much have you enjoyed watching
the development of Herman? Of course your other young first
five Ta came out before his season was ended by injury.
What have you made of their development during twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Five, Yeah, it's been great. They started with a really
really strong preseason. Rivers had unfortunate, yes, ankle injury which
keeps him out for sort of six weeks. But you know,
in history, our seems have been in world class and
these two are certainly living up to a few of
the names that we've had previous coming for them. So
(05:07):
they're only young. They's a lot to grow, but you
can see that they can handle the pressure and it's
been great to you have play inside Rivers and he's
just relishing his opportunity.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Three yellow cards last night. David All for head clashes
as players, are you comfortable with the rules as they
stand around that sort of thing?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Yeah, I think you know the the game of the moment,
it's so high speed, the collision is right out there,
and you get it wrong. So I think being able
to have that review of the TMO and they can
sort of in behind the background. Obviously they got ten
minutes when they can decide, and I think the job
of the don a great job. But taking care of
(05:51):
that it's yeah, obviously no one tries to go and
there the heat colision. Just at times you get caught
funny situations and it's a high faced game with a
lot of high contexts. Yeah, sometimes you do get it
wrong and.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Then there's the hi hi the course with your mouthguard activation,
they got it wrong? Do they with Ethan Blackadder and
Scott Barrett, do they have each other's mouth guards in
or something?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Well, yeah, I don't know. I surely they don't have
the same dental record. But I think there was just
a yeah, I think there was just a mistake around
the numbers. I thought they've seen six on the head clision,
but Eaton got back straight back out of there, which
is a handy.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Absolutely, a lot's being made of the Crusader's incredible unbeaten
home finals record. You've heard the stat thirty one straight
home finals wins. Is there any pressure associated with that
or do you actually take immense pride in it?
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Now with others. It's part of our history and it's
awesome to be able to have that, I guess, but
certainly when we're prepared for the week, that's at the
front of our minds. Steal position and it's a big game,
regardless whatever the streak is, or you're one or none,
you know, going into a final, So it's a bit
(07:09):
bigger than that.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
And there's no doubt twenty twenty four was well below
what we've come to expect from the Crusaders. How much
was last year used to fuel your twenty twenty five
season and in hindsight, how much has it fueled you
this year?
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah, at the time it will certainly not ideal and
not great for the franchise, but I think all that
it's done has probably set us up this year in
the years to come. So it's been huge learnings. It's
been the whole franchise is sort of yeah, made to
get better, and you've seen some of these young guys
come through and experience a bit of hardship and a
(07:47):
bit of things not going your way, and that's certainly
helped this year being able to win those tight games
and just use and trust our squad, which we've done
this year. So yeah, really just happy the way that
we were checking and it just all started from the
coach of their preseason and how.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Much WoT and you've been in this team for a
decade now, integral to the success of the team over
a long period. How different a player and a person
are you now compared to the twenty one year old
who first wore this jersey in twenty fifteen.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yeah, now you say that, but he feels like he
needs to just quietly. But I think I think it's
just the way the club handles people and it's a
tough place to leave. And I think the most thing
that I've been lucky enough to have the strong leaders
around me, Like when I first came in, you had
(08:42):
guys like McCaw and DC Kieran Read, Jim Whitelock, you know,
the great New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders, So it
was pretty easy just to sit there and be a
sponge and learn off the absolute best. So yeah, I'm
just I was just pretty lucky that I came in
a great time and sort of me and a few
(09:04):
other boys that aren't here now just tried to to
carry that on. And yeah, we've seen a see a
bit of success.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Well, you've earned one more home game at Addington. You've
got your flash new stadium ready to go next year.
Will any part of you be sorry to say goodbye
to what has been your home ground, well your entire
time with the with the team, but of a fortress.
Will any part of you be sorry to say goodbye
to Addington?
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Yeah? I think it will be. It's been a great,
great stadium for us. You know, it's only need to
be up for a few years, and what they've done
with it, it's been exceptional. We've had been able to
get in there and play some awesome games in history,
and yeah, we'll be said to see it go, but
also looking forward to a covered roof and a new
(09:51):
chapter and will be Crusader's history.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
I think all right, just to finish it, I know
you won't care who you play next week. You'll watch
the game tonight, I'm sure with interest. You've lost twice
of the Chiefs this season. Would you like to put
that right? Maybe next weekend in a grand final.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Look, honestly, it doesn't really matter. We've got what we're
after their home final and Metal the opposite opposition movie
is still be on hell of a game, so something
to look forward to. Well.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Congrats on a hell of a game from your boys
last night, David. You'ven't, as you say, another Monday, another weekend,
a grand final. All the best for the week had mate.
Thanks for chatting to us this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Cheers, thank you and enjoy the weekend too.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
You enjoy yours, David, I'm sure you well, I'm sure
I'll enjoy your sitting back and watching the Chiefs play
the Brumbies tonight. To learn your Grand Final opponent, David Hovily,
captain of the Crusaders. Very impressive guy.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sada's home Super Rugby playoff winning streak has been extended
to thirty one games. They've beaten the Blues twenty one
to fourteen in the semi final in christ Church, meaning
they'll host next weekend's Grand final against either the Brumbies
or the Chiefs. The Blues raced out to a fourteen
yer lead courtesy if tries to Mark Talaya and Record Yowani.
The Crusaders leveled proceedings by halftime, though Tom Christy and
(00:34):
Will Jordan crashing over and Jordan scored the winning try
in the seventieth minute. The Crusaders then withstood a Blues
onslaught for more than six minutes after the final hooter
to eventually close it out. Crusaders captain David Avilia is
with us. David, thanks for your time, Congratulations on the win.
Can we start at the ends. You went off with
(00:55):
about what ten minutes to go, so you had to
watch on from the sidelines as the Blues hammered away
and hammered away and hammered away your line. How was
your heart rate as your side repelled what up to
forty phases.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, it's pretty high, I think is yeah a special
defense hits on the boaster. I guess, yeah, go bloody
seven minutes deep into injury time and yeah, so stoked
that we could get that turnover and you get that one.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
What were the emotions when the turnover finally came. I
think about the eighty seventh minute rivers Rayhanna boots it
out of the ground. You're into the final How the
emotions at that point.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Yeah, pretty happy. You just really related for those for
the boys that were on there at the and that
time to get that turnover and miss huge defense set
that ultimately won us Again.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
What sort of conversations were going on in the first
half when you find yourself fourteen kneeled down.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
We're just really calm, decisive conversations between the leaders and
there's been nothing that we haven't seen before been in
those moments, so really calm circle. We knew what we
had to do. The blue started really well with a
couple of tries early and then we got the yellow cards,
so they had it with momentum. We knew we'd get
(02:14):
our opportunities and it was about making sure that we
took them when we got them, and I thought that
our full pack really stood up in the huge moments
to be able to scrum for penalty, get him the
corner and then get us territory.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
There seem to be some real genuine feeling in this one,
the Auckland Canterbury rivalry, which goes back decades, as you know.
Was that something that you embraced during the build up
to this.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Game, Yeah, for sure. The I think the game in general,
we've been a semi final, we're just embracing These are
the weeks who want to be a part of right
He's only four teams left at that point, and we
just wanted to make sure that we can earn ourselves
another Monday, and we did that and it was such
a great performance and them so happy for those boys
(03:01):
that he got the job done in the end.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Sport is emotion all, certainly for us as fan and
I'm sure for the players as well. I mean, you're
famously calm in big moments, but I think I saw
you making a point to a j Lamb after Will
Jordan crashed over to score. Do you allow emotion to
fuel you at the right times.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
At the right time certainly. I think, you know that's
given it twice a few times sort of when they scored.
So it's tony fare that you get the chance to
build it back. So but look, I think what really
really pleased me was the way that we just stayed
in it. We could have gone either way in that
first half, and then when we really worked our way
(03:42):
back into the game. Was so happy that we could
get in front and guys like Will and Scooter Aboret,
they just stood up in the big moments.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Two more tries for Will Jordan last night, not not
really characteristic Will Jordan tries I can go from a
yard out. Isn't really his normal mode of scoring nine
for the season now forty seven in Super Rugby all time.
He wasn't there at all last season. Of course. Can
you articulate Will Jordan's impact on the side.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Yeah, he's huge. He's a massive game driver for us
and you know, just having him on the park is
a mess of strike weapon and just the knowledge around
the game he has is massive, and he's another big
driver as long as River's very hard and like he's
been driving the big boys around the park and just
giving the urchy and then popping up when we needed to,
and like you said, he's been one on one hell
(04:32):
of a square on streak, and yeah, hopefully they're continuous.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
You mentioned Rivers there, how much have you enjoyed watching
the development of Herman? Of course your other young first
five Ta came out before his season was ended by injury.
What have you made of their development during twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Five, Yeah, it's been great. They started with a really
really strong preseason. Rivers had unfortunate, yes, ankle injury which
keeps him out for sort of six weeks. But you know,
in history, our seems have been in world class and
these two are certainly living up to a few of
the names that we've had previous coming for them. So
(05:07):
they're only young. They's a lot to grow, but you
can see that they can handle the pressure and it's
been great to you have play inside Rivers and he's
just relishing his opportunity.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Three yellow cards last night. David All for head clashes
as players, are you comfortable with the rules as they
stand around that sort of thing?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Yeah, I think you know the the game of the moment,
it's so high speed, the collision is right out there,
and you get it wrong. So I think being able
to have that review of the TMO and they can
sort of in behind the background. Obviously they got ten
minutes when they can decide, and I think the job
of the don a great job. But taking care of
(05:51):
that it's yeah, obviously no one tries to go and
there the heat colision. Just at times you get caught
funny situations and it's a high faced game with a
lot of high contexts. Yeah, sometimes you do get it
wrong and.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Then there's the hi hi the course with your mouthguard activation,
they got it wrong? Do they with Ethan Blackadder and
Scott Barrett, do they have each other's mouth guards in
or something?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Well, yeah, I don't know. I surely they don't have
the same dental record. But I think there was just
a yeah, I think there was just a mistake around
the numbers. I thought they've seen six on the head clision,
but Eaton got back straight back out of there, which
is a handy.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Absolutely, a lot's being made of the Crusader's incredible unbeaten
home finals record. You've heard the stat thirty one straight
home finals wins. Is there any pressure associated with that
or do you actually take immense pride in it?
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Now with others. It's part of our history and it's
awesome to be able to have that, I guess, but
certainly when we're prepared for the week, that's at the
front of our minds. Steal position and it's a big game,
regardless whatever the streak is, or you're one or none,
you know, going into a final, So it's a bit
(07:09):
bigger than that.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
And there's no doubt twenty twenty four was well below
what we've come to expect from the Crusaders. How much
was last year used to fuel your twenty twenty five
season and in hindsight, how much has it fueled you
this year?
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah, at the time it will certainly not ideal and
not great for the franchise, but I think all that
it's done has probably set us up this year in
the years to come. So it's been huge learnings. It's
been the whole franchise is sort of yeah, made to
get better, and you've seen some of these young guys
come through and experience a bit of hardship and a
(07:47):
bit of things not going your way, and that's certainly
helped this year being able to win those tight games
and just use and trust our squad, which we've done
this year. So yeah, really just happy the way that
we were checking and it just all started from the
coach of their preseason and how.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Much WoT and you've been in this team for a
decade now, integral to the success of the team over
a long period. How different a player and a person
are you now compared to the twenty one year old
who first wore this jersey in twenty fifteen.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yeah, now you say that, but he feels like he
needs to just quietly. But I think I think it's
just the way the club handles people and it's a
tough place to leave. And I think the most thing
that I've been lucky enough to have the strong leaders
around me, Like when I first came in, you had
(08:42):
guys like McCaw and DC Kieran Read, Jim Whitelock, you know,
the great New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders, So it
was pretty easy just to sit there and be a
sponge and learn off the absolute best. So yeah, I'm
just I was just pretty lucky that I came in
a great time and sort of me and a few
(09:04):
other boys that aren't here now just tried to to
carry that on. And yeah, we've seen a see a
bit of success.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Well, you've earned one more home game at Addington. You've
got your flash new stadium ready to go next year.
Will any part of you be sorry to say goodbye
to what has been your home ground, well your entire
time with the with the team, but of a fortress.
Will any part of you be sorry to say goodbye
to Addington?
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Yeah? I think it will be. It's been a great,
great stadium for us. You know, it's only need to
be up for a few years, and what they've done
with it, it's been exceptional. We've had been able to
get in there and play some awesome games in history,
and yeah, we'll be said to see it go, but
also looking forward to a covered roof and a new
(09:51):
chapter and will be Crusader's history.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
I think all right, just to finish it, I know
you won't care who you play next week. You'll watch
the game tonight, I'm sure with interest. You've lost twice
of the Chiefs this season. Would you like to put
that right? Maybe next weekend in a grand final.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Look, honestly, it doesn't really matter. We've got what we're
after their home final and Metal the opposite opposition movie
is still be on hell of a game, so something
to look forward to. Well.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Congrats on a hell of a game from your boys
last night, David. You'ven't, as you say, another Monday, another weekend,
a grand final. All the best for the week had mate.
Thanks for chatting to us this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Cheers, thank you and enjoy the weekend too.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
You enjoy yours, David, I'm sure you well, I'm sure
I'll enjoy your sitting back and watching the Chiefs play
the Brumbies tonight. To learn your Grand Final opponent, David Hovily,
captain of the Crusaders. Very impressive guy.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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