All Blacks’ star wants to make statement for Invitational side against Lions before Wallabies first Test

The Barbarians are famous for bringing together some of the world’s best rugby talent and putting on a show. All Blacks’ star David Havili can’t wait to do the same against the Lions for a combined Australian/New Zealand side.

All Blacks star David Havili says the AUNZ team to face the British & Irish Lions can play a scintillating attacking style of rugby akin to the Barbarians.

Havili is one of five All Blacks confirmed for the invitational side to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on July 12, one week before the first Test between the tourists and the Wallabies.

The Barbarians celebrate s try against Fiji at Twickenham in 2024. Picture: Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Barbarians

If the Lions put out their best side in preparation for the Test series, the combined Australian/New Zealand outfit has an ideal opportunity to dent their confidence, and like a Barbarians team (known as the BaaBaas), run them ragged with attacking brilliance.

“For sure, if it’s against their best team, you want to be playing your best style of rugby in a short space of time,” Havili told CODE Sports.

“We’ve got to find out what that looks like for us, and then go ahead and bring a game plan on how we want to play.

“It’s just an awesome opportunity around the connection piece that rugby gives us.

“It’s awesome to be able to be in a team with some world-class players that you might not be able to experience in being in your team, so I’m certainly looking forward to lacing up the boots alongside some awesome players.”

David Havili believes the invitational side can run the Lions ragged. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Havili will join former All Blacks Ngani Laumape, Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson and Folau Fakatava in the AUNZ side, while 130kg Blues prop Joshua Fusitu’a is also in.

The team will be coached by Wallabies boss in waiting Les Kiss, who has assembled an impressive list of assistants including former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Western Force coach Simon Cron, and Queensland forwards coach Zane Hilton.

Les Kiss, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and two young fans show off the AUNZ jersey at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Dean Martin

Havili, the 30-Test centre who just captained the Crusaders to the Super Rugby premiership, was a shock omission from the All Blacks squad to play France this month.

He believes he can make a statement to Kiwi boss Scott Robertson with a strong performance against the Lions, while also getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity having never visited Adelaide.

Crusaders captain David Havili (left) and coach Rob Penney (right) with the Super Rugby Pacific trophy. Picture: James Foy/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“I’m more excited about the opportunity I’ve been given, it’s a very rare and different occasion to be able to get Australians and Kiwis in the same team to put out a great side to play the British & Irish Lions and I’m looking forward to connecting with everyone when they get in again,” Havili said.

“I watched them play against Argentina and the Force, with the way they’re playing, there’s a lot of moving parts to the attack and the defence is certainly solid enough to withstand anything that gets thrown at them, so, I’m expecting a fast game of rugby.

“I really enjoy the way that Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki play, the skill set, they’re big ball carriers.

“It’s cool to be able to watch them play and hopefully be able to line up against them and, you know, hopefully swap jerseys.

“Obviously for us, it’s just about getting on the same page and, first of all, seeing how the coaches want to play, and then just really connecting those first couple of nights and being able to just break down a few barriers.

“Once you get out there, it’s just about doing what you do best and going in and playing, giving the team confidence to do that.”

Originally published as All Blacks’ star wants to make statement for Invitational side against Lions before Wallabies first Test