Roving Caucau now stays at home
Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:19
Fiji Sevens coach Waisale Serevi has included errant wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca in his first training squad ahead of the first two events on the 2008/09 International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series.
It remains to be seen whether Caucau will play a part in Fiji's assault on the Dubai Sevens (November 28 and 29) or the South Africa Sevens (December 5 and 6), but his selection is a major boost and a latest indication of the coach's powers of persuasion.
Caucau was recently link to possible moves to both the Stormers in Cape Town and the Leicester Tigers, but "personal problems" prevented him from making the trip from his native Fiji to either team.
It is not the first time either that he has failed to turn up at his club or national team.
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.
On April 9, 2007 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 on March 24]. This followed a generally poor season for both club and player in which Caucau had scored a solitary try in 11 matches. Though the ban had ended, he was not picked up by Fiji to compete in the 2007 World Cup.
On December 23, 2007 he made his return for Agen scoring three tries in their 33-0 win over Toulon.
He left Agen following a number of injuries, being released by the club in February 2008. In July, he showed up for his local club, Tailevu, after being out of action for over five months. He has played four games to date for them, scoring five tries
There will always be those sceptics who feel Caucau has not changed his errant ways and Serevi is simply wasting his time.
The last time Serevi returned to the Fiji Sevens fold, as player/coach ahead of the 2005 World Cup Sevens, he assembled a squad which went on to become World Champions and, with the 2009 World Cup in Dubai next March fast approaching, he almost certainly has that title defence in mind.
The squad includes several recently-proven regulars on the World Series, including Etonia Naba, Sailosi Rabonaqica, Setefano Cakau, Emosi Vucago, Watisoni Goneva and Lepani Nabuliwaqa.
If Serevi can get the best out of Caucau, however, his side will possess one of Sevens rugby's all-time best marksmen.
Caucau played in five tournaments in the second instalment of the World Series in 2000/01 and scored 38 tries, including 14 in Cardiff, 12 in Tokyo and seven in Malaysia.
The record number of tries in a single tournament is held by compatriot Vilimoni Delasau (16), but Caucau's 14 puts him second on the list.
Fiji training squad:
Forwards: Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour, NZ), Rupeni Nasiga (Counties, NZ), Etonia Naba, Ponipate Kato, Sailosi Rabonaqica, Samu Kunanitu, Iliesa Ratuva, Setefano Cakau, Seremaia Burotu, Lemeki Duidomo, Isei Lewaqai, William Rasileka
Backs: Emosi Vucago, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Osea Kolinisau, Waisele Beci, Peni Rokodiva, Niumaia Cakacaka, Rupeni Caucau, Eneri Kuru (Tailevu), Ilai Nabanivalu (Ba), Asivorosi Tarakinikini, Watisoni Goneva, Niko Verekauta, Orisi Sareki, Naisa Narukutabua, Iveri Lavo (Navosa).
