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David Havili will captain the Crusaders for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

As reported by the Herald earlier this week, Havili will become the first back to captain Super Rugby’s most successful franchise. He’ll also be the first of Pasifika descent.

Havili, 30, replaces current All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett after it was decided that leading at both Super Rugby and international levels was too much to ask.

Havili said he took his time before committing to the leadership role.

“It was probably a couple of weeks, to be honest. I just wanted to make sure that it was gonna get everything from me. I had a good conversation with my partner Lucy and my close mates and, yeah, that’s what I’m about.

“Why else would I be here if I wasn’t going to give everything to the team, whether I’m captain or not?” says Havili.

The 30-test All Black also consulted his predecessor.

“I spoke to Scooter [Scott Barrett] and a few other old boys as well about it and they said I was a good candidate for the job, so I’m extremely blessed to be in this situation,” said Havili.

The 128-game midfielder is well regarded at the franchise, earning the respect of players and management alike.

“He’s a very humble man with a deep layer of strength and [he’s] strongly values-based. So that’ll be what you’ll get from Davey [as captain].

“Loves this organisation, a very proud man, family orientated and cares deeply not only about this place, but the people within it,” says Crusaders coach Rob Penney.

Havili debuted for the Crusaders in 2015 under the leadership of Richie McCaw. He has also played under Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and most recently Scott Barrett. Havili says he has learnt plenty from the skippers before him.

“I’ve been around and seen how they lead the team and definitely taken a lot from those guys.

“They’re the greats of our club,” says Havili.

The new captain addressed his team for the first time this morning, with a loud cheer echoing from the team room into the media room, disrupting Penney’s media session.

“That raucous uproar was, I think an indication of how passionate the boys were for Davey’s announcement there,” said Penney.

A short time later, a humble Havili emerged to speak to waiting media.

“They let off a big roar and a big cheer and I was pretty stoked that they got right behind me.”

Havili opened up on his first time addressing the playing group as captain.

“I just said ‘I’m here and I want to be connected to my team. I want to be connected to this province and the community’.

He’ll get a chance to do just that at the end of the month when the Crusaders take their preseason match with the Blues to the small Selwyn town of Kirwee.