OFA TU’UNGAFASI

Position
Prop

Blues debut
2013 v Hurricanes

Blues caps
143 (SR 141)

Blues points
50

Born
19/04/92

Height
190cm

Weight
127kg

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. Ofa has played 120 times for the Blues, he is blue through and through.

He is renowned for his focus both in training and on the field. He has developed his game to much more than just a potent scrummager, with some excellent handling and strong defence.

While at Mangere College, Tu'ungafasi came through the Auckland and Blues Development Squads. He represented New Zealand at Under 17 and Under 20’s and made the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2010.

In 2015, Tu'ungafasi started every game during the Blues’ season bar one due to concussion and played all 15 games in 2016. Off the field, Ofa has been recognised for his community engagement. He opted to shave off a full head of dreads to raise money for Starship Children’s Hospital in April 2015.

Ofa’s consistency during the 2019 Super Rugby Season saw him cement his spot in the All Blacks squad to travel to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Ofa took an even greater focus on his strength and power, seeing 2020 as the season in which he had to make his mark, and reels of game tapes can attest as to the effectiveness of his training.

Ofa made a name for himself in 2020 as a defensive menace, routinely crunching anyone unfortunate enough to run his direction. On the back of his impressive Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, Ofa become a regular starter for the All Blacks.

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.

2023 was Ofa’s 10th season in a blue jersey - the longest serving of the current crop. He was impressive once again as a cornerstone of the pack and earned selection in the 2023 All Blacks RWC squad in France. He enters his 11th season with the Blues as a familiar face and ultimate professional with his experience likely to be valuable in the front row for the 2024 campaign.