The kind of front row you don't want to find in your path, Ofa Tu'ungafasi has become well known for his massive hits, strong carries and excellent scrummaging.
While at Mangere College, Tuungafasi was brought through the Auckland and Blues Development Squads. He represented New Zealand at Under 17 and Under 20 grades and made the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2010.
Aniseto Ofa He Moori Tu'ungafasi has also been celebrated for his ability to play on both sides of the hooker since making his Provisional debut for Auckland back in 2012.
A New Zealand U20 Internation in 2012, Tu'ungafasi helped the side reach the Final in 2020 and represented Auckland during the 2012 ITM Cup making his debut against Hawke's Bay. His excellent debut season saw earn a contract with the Blues ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The son of former Tongan international Mofuike Tuʻungafasi, Ofa started to make his presence known Auckland debuting for the Blues against the Hurricanes in 2013.
Consistent performances saw Tu'ungafasi earn recognition with the All Blacks as he earned his test debut in 2016 in the third test of the series between New Zealand and Wales replacing then Blues teammate Charlie Faumuina off the bench after 53 minutes.
By this stage, he was a regular in the Blues team having started every game during the Blues’ 2015 Super Rugby season bar one due to concussion and played all 15 games in 2016.
In June 2017, Tu'ungafasi was named in the All Blacks squad for the NZ Lions Series but played no part in the test series but did play a full 80 minutes against the Lions for the Blues which the hosts won 22-16.
The 2019 season saw the likeable Blues prop mature into a key leader among the Blues playing group, as well as establishing himself as a key member of the All Blacks engine room and leadership group.
Tu'ungafasi was included in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad in 2019 and played in five matches for the side that finished third overall with the prop taking his test cap tally to 35 in doing so with just four caps coming in the starting XV.
By the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020, Tu'ungafasi had represented the Blues 95 times and was named in the North Island team for the interisland clash.nAfter the clash, he was one again named in the All Blacks squad after displaying some of his best form of his career.
In March 2021, he became the first All Black to reconfirm his allegiance to New Zealand beyond the 2023 Rugby World Cup after signing a new contract extension until 2024.
In 2021 Ofa made his 100th appearance for the Blues, against the Chiefs in Hamilton. Despite picking up a knee-injury, missing a large portion of the Super Rugby season, Ofa was still selected for the All Blacks end of season tour to the USA and Europe, giving an indication to the esteem at which Ofa holds in New Zealand Rugby circles.
In 2022, Tu'ungafasi played 14 games for the Blues making 50 carries and 78 successful tackles. His strong performances earned him 4 caps for the All Blacks that season
In his 2023 Super Rugby season, Tu'ungafasi played 13 matches for the Blues starting 10 and scoring 2 tries.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Tu'ungafasi has been named in the squad for New Zealand.
S.C April 2023
Career
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Blues Tighthead Prop |
2013 - present |
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New Zealand Tighthead Prop |
2016 - present |
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Northland Tighthead Prop |
2022 - present |
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Auckland Tighthead Prop |
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NZ Barbarians Tighthead Prop |
2015 - 2022 |
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North Island Tighthead Prop |
2020 - 2022 |
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Manawatu Tighthead Prop |
2021 - 2022 |
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Mangere College 1st Team Loosehead Prop |
