David Havili of the Crusaders Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Crusaders captain David Havili along with three other former All Blacks have been named as a part of the Australia-New Zealand Invitational side that will play the British and Irish Lions.
Havili is joined by Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson and Folau Fakatava in the first wave of signings for the combined team.
The match will be played in Adelaide on 12 July.
Havili will play in the centres alongside Stevenson who is set to play in Japan in 2026.
Stevenson debuted for the All Blacks in 2023 and will return to Kuobta Spears after initially joining them at the start of the year before heading back to the Chiefs.
Highlanders halfback Fakatava, who played two Tests for the All Blacks, had an injury-interrupted Super Rugby season which limited him to just seven starts this year.
Frizell rounds out the selections in the back-row, having guided Brave Lupus to the Japan Rugby League One title, scoring 11 tries in the season.
Frizell also started at number eight for the Barbarians in last week's loss to the Springboks.
"We are delighted with the quality of the New Zealand contingent announced today and look forward to naming more players as the squad comes together," RA head of high performance Peter Horne said.
Meanwhile Queensland coach Les Kiss has listed nine Wallabies in his matchday squad to tackle the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Former All Black Aidan Ross has been named for his Reds debut and he will partner incumbent Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler and dual international Jeffery Toomaga-Allen in a powerful starting front row.
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