The 22-year-old was one of the biggest selection bolters in Test history when he made his debut for New Zealand in the 2014 Anzac Test after just three NRL appearances from the bench for the Warriors.

Less than two years on Havili admits he still has to pinch himself when recalling his meteoric rise to International level.

‘‘It was just unbelievable really three games into my [NRL] career,’’ Havili said.

‘‘It’s what every kid dreams of, to represent their country and I was lucky enough to achieve a goal I’ve had since I was a kid.”

Notching the game’s ultimate milestone at just 21 left the Manurewa Marlins junior on cloud nine, but Havili said finishing the season with the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup put things in perspective.

‘‘It was pretty funny coming straight from an International game straight into NSW Cup but I took everything as a learning experience,” Havili said.

‘‘I learned so much from that period of time about the consistency of the game.

‘‘That hectic month taught me that everything’s still in front of me and it’s up to me to make the most of it.

‘‘I’ve been in that position but there’s still a lot more to accomplish and I can only do that with hard work.’’

The experience makes him an interesting acquisition for the Dragons as a Test player who -with 14 games to his name - is still in the rookie class in the NRL.

He said Isaac Luke’s impending arrival and the need to move out of his comfort zone was behind the shift.

‘‘The option was there for me and I just saw a better chance of playing NRL back at the Warriors.

‘‘Isaac Luke was coming to the club and with the quality player he is the chance for me playing was really slim.

‘‘I had to do what’s best for me and it’s about that time in my career when I’m still young where I need to step out of my comfort zone and make the most of it.”

While Luke was in his path at the Warriors, unseating incumbent Dragons rake Mitch Rein will be no easy task but - with his solid 100-kilogram frame - Havili believes there could be room for both of them in them in the 17. 

‘‘I’ve been talking to the coaches about that, playing at lock and covering a bit of hooker as well,’’ he said.

‘‘The value of covering those positions is pretty good especially with the interchange coming down.

‘‘When they’re trying to make the game a lot faster the guys who can play a lot of utility positions bring a lot of value to the side.

‘‘I’m not sure what Mary wants to do with the 17 but we’re all pushing hard to be in it and it’ll all come down to what I do in the weeks before the season starts.”