All Blacks prop Tu'ungafasi joins Clermont on three-month medical joker deal

Ofa Tu’ungafasi has joined French Top 14 club Clermont on a three-month medical joker contract, the club confirmed, with the 34-year-old All Blacks prop set to provide front-row cover before returning to the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, which begins on 12 February.

Tu’ungafasi arrives at Clermont following injuries to props Cristian Ojovan and Sacha Lotrian, leaving the club short of experienced options in the front row. He becomes the second medical joker signing in quick succession at the club, following former Wallaby Rob Leota.

The loosehead brings 68 Test caps to Clermont and will find a familiar dressing room waiting for him. Former Blues backs Harry Plummer and AJ Lam are already at the club, as are ex-Chiefs pair Pita-Gus Sowakula and Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Head coach Christophe Urios was enthusiastic about securing the signing. “This is a fantastic opportunity that we’ve seized,” he 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.”

Tu’ungafasi’s 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign was his first since suffering a major neck injury in 2025, and he split his time between loosehead and tighthead during that season. He was most recently in the All Blacks environment during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, and had been named to feature against the Lions after joining the tour as injury cover, only to fall ill immediately upon arriving in Johannesburg.