Rupeni Caucaunibuca

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Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Date of birth 1980-06-05
Place of birth Flag of Fiji Fiji
Height 1.80 m
Weight 96 kg
Rugby union career
Position Wing
Professional clubs
2005-present Flag of France Agen
correct as of .
Provincial/State sides    
2001-2004 Flag of New Zealand Northland
correct as of .
Super Rugby Caps (points)
2002-2004 Flag of New Zealand Blues
correct as of .
National team(s) Caps (points)
2004-present Flag of Fiji Fiji
Pacific Islanders		 9
1		 (45)
(5)
correct as of 1 Sept 2006.

Rupeni Caucaunibuca (IPA: [ruː'pɛˌniː 'ðaʊˌðaʊnɪm'buːðɑː], born 5 June 1980) is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays wing for French club side Agen and the Fiji national team, and formerly played for New Zealand-based teams such as Super Rugby's Blues and provincial side Northland. He is also known as 'Caucau' (IPA: ['ðaʊˌðaʊ]).

Caucaunibuca returned to Fiji from France in late May to prepare for games against New Zealand Māori and the All Blacks and in time for Fiji's World Cup qualifiers, but failed to appear in any of the June or July matches. He missed Fiji's first World Cup qualifying match against Tonga in Suva but was recalled for their subsequent match against Samoa. After assuring Fiji coach Wayne Pivac he would play, Caucaunibuca missed a flight to Samoa saying he had been forced to remain in Fiji with his wife who had an infected tooth.

The Fiji Rugby Union banned him for one year, ruling him out of the 2005 autumn tour of Europe and the 2006 South Pacific Tri-Nations series.

In May 2006 his one year ban was lifted after he showed remorse and a desire to play for Fiji.[1] In his return match, he scored a try as Fiji lost to the Junior All Blacks, 35-17 in Suva. Later, in a mid-year Test against Six Nations participant Italy, he scored one of Fiji's four tries in a 29-18 win.[2] When Caucau failed to arrive in France for Agen's preseason training camp in July 2006, it was widely rumoured that he had yet again displayed his past lack of discipline. However, Agen's management confirmed that he had contracted a tropical virus in Fiji and had been hospitalized there for several weeks. He was released in August, but lost 12 kg (27 lb) during his illness. Rupeni did not make the return flight to France, as he had been told by his doctor that he could not travel abroad because of his sickness. During his recovery, he witnessed the birth of his daughter. Contrary to reports that he had decided to retire prematurely from rugby, he had also confirmed that he had spoken to his agent, who relayed the message to his Agen Club president that he would join them in the near future.[3] Caucau would eventually be cleared for travel abroad, and would return to France that October. He made his comeback in Agen's first 2006-07 Heineken Cup fixture, a 19-17 home win over Edinburgh. Although he did not score, he was named man of the match.[4]

Caucaunibuca has been described in the media as "one of the fastest and most flamboyant players in international rugby".[5] Scotland international Chris Paterson said of Caucaunibuca that "when he is fit, [he] can be the world's best player" and that he "is the type who can win a game almost on his own."[6] England international centre Mike Tindall describes him as "the best player I have ever played against."[7] For the last two seasons in France, Caucaunibuca has been the league's top try scorer.[8] [9] In October 2006 he was awarded France's Player of the Year award.[5]

He was named in the Pacific Islanders rugby union team squad for the 2006 tour of Europe. However it has been speculated that he may not play in the whole series as he said at press conference that he wanted to concentrate on Agen's big matches against Toulouse, Paris and Bourgoin.[1] but he ended up playing one game for the Islanders against Scotland in which he scored one try and set up another one for Daniel Leo.


[edit] References

  1. ^ "Banned Caucau gets early reprieve", BBC Sport, 29 May 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-07.
  2. ^ "Italy fall to Fiji in Lautoka: Caucau and company leave Azzurri standing", Planet-Rugby.com, 17 June 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-17.
  3. ^ "No Early Retirement for Caucau", /www.fijivillage.com, 11 August 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-30.
  4. ^ "Agen snatch a late victory", Planet-Rugby.com, 20 October 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
  5. ^ a b "Fiji wing wins French rugby award", CNN, October 9, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.
  6. ^ Lothian, Bill. "Paterson ready to face 'world's best player'", scotsman.com, 2006-11-15. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.
  7. ^ "High Praise for Man-of-the-Match Rupeni", 12 January 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
  8. ^ Official TOP 16 statistics, 2004-05 (in French; click on "Les meilleurs marquers"). Accessed 2006-06-17.
  9. ^ Official TOP 14 statistics, 2005-06 (in French; click on "Les meilleurs marquers"). Accessed 2006-06-17.

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Pacific Islanders - 2006 tour to Great Britain and Ireland squad
Fiji: Seremaia Bai • Rupeni Caucau • Isoa Domolailai • Norman Ligairi • Seru Rabeni • Simon Raiwalui (captain) • Aca Ratuva • Kameli Ratuvou • Mosese Rauluni
Samoa: Loki Crichton (withdrew) • Lome Fa'atau • Census Johnson • Tasesa Lavea (withdrew) • Daniel Leo • Seilala Mapusua • Tusi Pisi • Junior Polu • Mahonri Schwalger • Semo Sititi • Elvis Seveali'i • Sailosi Tagicakibau • Alesana Tuilagi • Henry Tuilagi (withdrew) • Justin Va'a
Tonga: Taufa'ao Filise • Nili Latu • Aleki Lutui • Maama Molitika • Epi Taione • Tevita Taumoepeau • Viliami Vaki
Head coach: Flag of Samoa Pat Lam
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