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Josh Fusitu'a: The Blues prop with an All Blacks guru's endorsement
By Adam Julian
Despite a 5-8 record, Josh Fusitu’a believes the Blues can still defend their Super Rugby Pacific title.
The Blues will make the playoffs with a win against the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday and a favour by the Hurricanes in Wellington against Moana Pasifika.
Fusitu’a is a big reason why the Blues remain in the fight. Replacing redoubtable All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi (68 Tests, 51 wins), the 24-year-old has started nine consecutive matches and contributed 659 minutes. Last week, he was named Better Blues Company Player of the Year at the curiously timed Blues awards.
Fusitu’a has entered the All Blacks conversation alongside Ethan De Groot (Highlanders), Xavier Nuima (Hurricanes), Ollie Norris (Chiefs), and George Bower (Crusaders).
“We haven’t had the best season, but not many teams want us in the playoffs. When it’s do or die, I back my brothers,” Fusitu’a warned RugbyPass.
“Last year, we successfully played a totally different style, almost European rugby. Teams have adapted to that. We know what works, though, and have to back ourselves.
“My job is to nail my role, especially scrums and lineout lifting. Anything beyond that is a bonus.”
Fusitu’a has topped the tackle count in three games, averages nearly ten carries per match, and marked All Blacks tighthead Tyrel Lomax in a 19-18 victory against the Hurricanes on April 5.
“Tyrel is the best prop I’ve marked. It’s a real challenge against someone of his pedigree. He’s hard to move. You’ve got to push overtime. She’s a tough day,” Fusitu’a said.
“The most challenging team has been Moana Pasifika. On their day, they’re difficult to play against because they get that momentum going, chip kicks, offloads, big hits – it’s really different and almost impossible to stop. What Ardie Savea’s done over there is special.”
Blues scrum coach and All Black Greg Feek enjoyed a special Super Rugby career with the Crusaders. He won 48 of 63 matches, including five finals. The former Irish mentor rates Fusitu’a highly, telling the New Zealand Herald:
“He’s got a lot of talent and is physically impressive as well. He’s 122kg and moves really well with that,” Feek said.
“He’s a good professional. I’ve been really impressed with how he’s grown, how he manages his game and how quickly he learns. As a coach, you’ve got the physical and mental tied in, so it’s exciting. He’s robust. His work rate is huge, and his scrummaging has really developed. It’s great to see.
“He plays with power – he’s a tough boy – but it’s being able to control that in key moments. That’s a big shift I’ve seen in his mental game this year.”
Fusitu’a debuted for the Blues in a win against Moana Pasifika in 2022. He only played five games in 2023 but won 13 of his 15 outings in 2024.
The youngest of four children, Mum is a teacher, Dad works in an electrical appliance store; Josh Fusitu’a has an impressive sporting pedigree.
Raised in West Auckland, his older brother by seven years, David Fusitu’a, won a National Top Four and Condor Sevens title at Kelston Boys’ High School. He then became a Kiwi and a Tongan rugby league international who scored 61 tries in 108 NRL games.
Josh attended Auckland Grammar School. He was in the First XV from 2017 to 2019, making 1A semis twice. His club is Grammar TEC. He came through the Auckland Academy, Blues development, and New Zealand Under-20s programs.
Meanwhile, the Blues have won 22 of their 30 encounters against the Waratahs, including ten on the trot. The last time the Waratahs beat the Blues was on March 28, 2015, in Sydney. The last time the Waratahs won at Eden Park was on March 27, 2009. Blues backs coach Daniel Halangahu scored 17 of the Waratahs’ 27 points.
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