All Black Ofa Tu'ungafasi agrees to brief Top 14 stint

All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi has rejoined a couple of former Blues teammates in Clermont on a three-month contract.

Tu’ungafasi arrives as Clermont’s latest medical joker, following former Wallaby Rob Leota, and will return to the Blues in time for the 2027 season, which begins on February 12.

The 34-year-old brings 68 Tests of international experience to the club, and will have some familiar faces to welcome him, including former Blues running mates Harry Plummer and AJ Lam, while former Chiefs Pita-Gus Sowakula and Etene Nanai-Seturo are also now wearing blue and yellow.

Tu’ungafasi arrives after injuries to Cristian Ojovan and Sacha Lotrian left the club in need of temporary cover. He was last in the All Blacks environment during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, and was initially named to play the Lions shortly after joining the tour as injury cover but immediately fell ill upon arriving in Johannesburg.

Having split his time between both the tighthead and his more familiar loosehead sides of the scrum during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, which was his first since a major neck injury in 2025, Tu’ungafasi’s signing was welcomed by Clermont head coach Christophe Urios.

“This is a fantastic opportunity that we’ve seized,” the coach said in a statement.

“At a time when we’re having quite a few issues in the front row, the chance to bring him to France for a few months is a win for everyone.

“We can only be delighted that he’s joining us.”