Powerhouse All Blacks prop Ofa Tuungafasi looks like being an absentee from the July tests against Tonga and Fiji, though might be back when it really matters in the Rugby Championship.
Tuungafasi was a notable defection from the Blues lineup to face the Highlanders in Saturday’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final at Eden Park (kickoff 7.05pm), with coach Leon MacDonald revealing he was set to go under the knife to repair an ongoing knee issue.
MacDonald was not privy to details of the likely length of time Tuungafasi would be out of action, though he did describe the procedure as “a little tidyup”. Any sort of knee surgery would likely rule the 29-year-old out of at least the upcoming tests against Tonga and Fiji.
The big tighthead has been managing an ongoing knee problem through this year and missed two of the last three matches the Blues have played to qualify for the final, where they will take their first shot at a Super title in 18 years.
“His knee is causing more trouble than what we would have hoped, and his finger is a bit of a mess as well,” said MacDonald after Thursday’s training hitout at Alexandra Park. “So he’s a bit battered at the moment,
“I think he’s having a little tidyup soon to clear his knee out. It’s going to keep him on the sidelines for a few more weeks.”
Asked if he would have to sit out the tests over the first three Saturdays in July, MacDonald said: “I don’t know any timelines but I know there are some issues there.”
