Siliva Havili


Siliva Havili is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a and for the Canberra Raiders in the NRL. He has played for both Tonga and New Zealand at international level.
He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League.

Background

Havili was born in Auckland, New Zealand.

Playing career

Early career

A Manurewa Marlins junior, Havili signed with the New Zealand Warriors and has played in their NYC side in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. Havili has also played for the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup. Havili was a Junior Kiwi in 2011 and 2012.

2013

On 20 April 2013, Havili made his international debut for Tonga against Samoa in the Pacific Rugby League International at Penrith Stadium. Havili started at hooker in the Tongan 36-4 victory.
On 8 October 2013, Havili was selected in the Tonga 24 man squad.
Havili played 1 match for Tonga in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in Tonga's opening match against Scotland, playing at hooker in Tonga's 26-24 loss at Derwent Park.

2014

Havili made his first grade debut in Round 6 of the 2014 NRL season against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs playing off the bench in the Warriors 21-20 loss at Eden Park. On 28 April 2014, after just playing in 3 NRL matches, Havili earnt a surprise call-up to the Kiwis squad to take on Australia in the 2014 Anzac Test at SFS. Havili his New Zealand international debut off the bench in the 30-18 loss. On 11 May 2014, Havili extended his contact with the Warriors for a further two seasons, keeping him at the club to the end off the 2016 season. Havili finished off his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 6 matches for the Warriors in the 2014 season. On 9 September 2014, Havili was selected for the New Zealand 2014 Four Nations train on squad. On 7 October 2014, Havili was selected in the New Zealand national rugby league team final 24 man squad for the series.

2015

On 20 July 2015, Havili signed a 2-year contract with the St. George Illawarra Dragons starting in 2016.

2016

Havili played ten games for the Dragons, all coming from the bench. On 24 July, Havili and Tim Lafai were arrested after brawling in the street outside a nightclub with another man. The alleged victim claimed Havili punched him when he had his back turned. Lafai and Havili were charged with common assault and offensive behaviour, but later escaped conviction with a guilty plea.

2017

Havili was selected to play for Tonga in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup despite not playing a single game for the Dragons that season. After producing a string of excellent performances in the World Cup, he was signed to a one year contract by the Canberra Raiders.

2018

With first-choice hooker Josh Hodgson injured for much of season 2018, Havili produced the best season of his career to date, playing 24 games and earning himself a two-year contract extension. He also retained his place in the Tonga squad for their historic first Test match against the Australian Kangaroos on October 20.

2019

Havili made 22 appearances for Canberra in the 2019 NRL season as the club reached their first grand final in 25 years. Havili did not play in the 2019 NRL Grand Final in which Canberra were defeated 14–8 by the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.