A gruesome picture of All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi has been posted online that reveals two massive lacerations across his face following the weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific action.
The big prop was playing for the Blues against the Chiefs, even making a fantastic try-saving tackle in their convincing 25 – nil victory over their north island neighbours.
Many are now wondering how exactly he sustained the injuries and more pointedly, who was responsible for the 17 stitches across the top of his head and his brow.
New Zealand journalist Jamie Wall posted the image on Twitter, writing: ‘Anyone see how this actually happened to Ofa? That’s some pretty serious head contact and can only really have been done illegally unless he head butted the advertising hoardings…’
Anyone see how this actually happened to Ofa? That’s some pretty serious head contact and can only really have been done illegally unless he head butted the advertising hoardings… pic.twitter.com/K7Vy6aXtxC
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) April 10, 2022
From a layman’s point of view, the cuts look like the result of a stray boot. The big tighthead was coming back from injury, playing his first game for the Blues in some time.
Tu’ungafasi has been one of the busiest front rowers for the Blues and All Blacks in recent years. A defensive rock and big man, the softly-spoken Tuungafasi made his All Blacks debut in 2016 against Wales after establishing himself as a standout player for Auckland and the Blues. He has now clocked up 39 Tests.
Born in Tonga and schooled at Mangere College in South Auckland, Tuungafasi was a New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Under 20 representative.
He made his provincial debut in 2012 and Super Rugby debut a year later and became a regular starter at the Blues when senior teammates Tony Woodcock and Charlie Faumuina moved on. While he can prop on both sides of the scrum, Ofa has settled as a tighthead specialist.
Tuungafasi joined a select group when picked for the All Blacks for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, following in the footsteps of his father Seleti who played for Tonga in the 1987 Ruby World Cup.
