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Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi admits he doesn’t like coming off the bench, but will do what team needs

May 1, 2019

The All Blacks front rower has been used in an impact role at times this season for the Auckland team.

Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi admits he’d rather not be coming off the bench, but will do whatever the team needs as it looks to get its Super Rugby campaign back on track.

Leon MacDonald has used the 27-year-old in an impact role at times this season, coming off the pine in the second half as the rebuilding Auckland side looked to finish matches strongly.

It worked, as the team went on a four-match winning run in March and early April, before losing consecutive matches against the Chiefs and Highlanders.

Capped 26 times by Steve Hansen, a player of his pedigree could expect to start most matches, and the mild-mannered forward admitted he’d prefer to be on the pitch from the opening minutes.

"For this season, early on I’d be coming off the bench, it was my role to finish off the game, obviously it’s not where I want to be, coming off the bench," he said.

"What’s best for the team, I’ll do that any day.

"For me personally, starting well is just as important as finishing strong. Team first."

The Blues take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

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