Will Jordan gives forthright verdict on Crusaders’ captaincy change and how it will impact their season
David Havili and Will Jordan during an All Blacks training session and the latter in action for the Crusaders.
Crusaders full-back Will Jordan is backing fellow All Black David Havili to be a success as the Christchurch-based outfit’s captain in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
Experienced utility back Havili takes over the leadership role from All Blacks skipper and second-row Scott Barrett and the new captain made a positive start to the 2025 season as the Crusaders sealed a 33-25 victory over the Hurricanes last week.
Crusaders’ first backline captain
The decision to appoint Havili is a momentous one as the Crusaders broke with tradition by appointing him as the first backline player to lead the team.
The 30-year-old follows in the footsteps of Crusaders greats Richard Loe, Todd Blackadder, Reuben Thorne, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Barrett.
The Crusaders had their worst season in Super Rugby history last year as they missed out on the play-offs after winning just four out of 14 matches and only finished above the Waratahs, Moana Pasifika and Western Force.
Although the captaincy was not the reason for their poor form, Jordan expects the men from Christchurch to be very competitive under the leadership of Havili, who captained his provincial side, Tasman Makos, to victory during the 2019 and 2020 seasons of New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC).
“David’s a great mate of mine. Someone that I’ll certainly follow onto the field. (He) brings a bit of toughness to the group,” Jordan said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
‘Pretty uncompromising around his standards’
“I think he’s someone who can be pretty uncompromising around his standards that he sets and what he demands from the group which I think is exactly what we need coming off a season where we struggled but at the same time, (he) likes to enjoy life, (he) has a lot of laughs and enjoys himself too so I know he’ll bring a great balance of fun but also hard work and the bit of grit you need.”
Jordan missed the Crusaders’ entire 2024 campaign due to a shoulder injury but returned to action later that year with the All Blacks and cemented himself as the three-time world champions’ first choice full-back.
However, he is fully focused on helping the Crusaders to return to their rightful place amongst the leading teams in the competition but knows that the 2025 season will offer a different challenge for the men from Christchurch, who won seven successive Super Rugby titles from 2017 to 2023 under the guidance of current All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
“It’s not a position you want to be in but when you’ve been playing the game for a while you take any mental spin you can and try and take something from it,” said the 26-year-old.
“So the idea of going out and chasing (current Super Rugby Pacific champions) the Blues and taking them on, and trying to prove yourself again, I think is, not necessarily a bad mindset for us to be in.
“(It) brings a bit of freshness to it and we know that last year wasn’t up to standard so hopefully the guys who had opportunities last year were able to get some more experience, get some minutes (which will) be able to hold them in good stead and we’re looking forward to seeing how they bounce back and show their best rugby this year.”
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