Caucau hoping for a storming comeback
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:55
Enigmatic Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca is actively hunting for a new team that will once again see him display his extraordinary talents on the world stage.
The flamboyant 28-year-old, better known by his abbreviated name of Caucau, has been linked to English Premiership club Leicester Tigers and Australian Super 14 outfit the Waratahs.
It has now been confirmed that he has also approached the South African Super 14 franchise the Stormers with a view to a contract.
Rob Wagner, the Chief Executive of WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd (the commercial arm of the Western Province Rugby Union and the Stormers), confirmed on Friday that they had been approached by the player.
"However, the matter has not progressed any further," Wagner told rugby365.com.
The Stormers were approached by a Johannesburg-based agent, acting on behalf of Caucaunibuca’s Fijian agent.
Caucaunibuca, currently playing for Fijian club Tailevu in their domestic competitions, was scheduled to travel to England this week to meet with Leicester bosses.
The Fiji Times reported that the 28-year-old Caucau could join compatriot Seru Rabeni at Welford Road in the near future.
However, it has now been confirmed that the wing's agent had approached several teams - including the Stormers - with a view to resurrect his career.
The Stormers already have the services of another Fijian wing in Sireli Naqelevuki, who is expected to rejoin the Cape Town-based outfit once he has resolved some "personal" issues back home.
Caucaunibuca, who was out of action for close to seven months after being sent home by French club Agen, has had a chequered career since quitting the New Zealand scene for France in 2005.
He had played three seasons for the Blues with injuries and fitness problems hampering him. But in 14 matches he scored 15 tries, some of them absolutely sublime.
His move north to the tough French club environment was a mixed success. The deadly finisher claimed the top try-scoring award in France in 2005 and 2006 and was the French Player of the Year in 2006.
However, discipline and fitness issues, a ban for cannabis use and impromptu sabbaticals have dogged his career both at club and international level.
Frustrated Fijian coaches have all but given up on him and his ban saw him miss last year's World Cup.
In 2005, Caucaunibuca returned to Fiji from France in late May to prepare for games against New Zealand Maori 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 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. In his return match, he scored a try as Fiji lost to the Junior All Blacks. Later, in a mid-year Test against Six Nations participant Italy, he scored one of Fiji's four tries in a 29-18 win.
When Caucau failed to arrive in France for Agen's pre-season 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 hospitalised there for several weeks. He was released in August, but lost 12 kg during his illness.
Caucau 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 rejoin them.
He was cleared for travel abroad, and returned 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.
He was named in the Pacific Islanders squad for the 2006 tour of Europe. However he only played in the match against Scotland after missing the first game against Wales and losing his passport, thus not making the last match of the series against Ireland. In the Islanders' game against Scotland he scored one try and set up another one for Daniel Leo.
In March last year it was announced that Caucau had incurred a three-month ban after testing positive for cannabis use, following Agen's Top 14 match against Montauban. This followed a generally poor season for both club and player in which he had scored a solitary try in 11 matches.
In December he made is return for Agen, scoring three tries in their 33-0 win over Toulon. But he left Agen following a number of injuries and was released by the club in February.
