Rupeni Caucaunibuca

Rugger
name = Rupeni Caucaunibuca


caption =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1981|6|5|df=yes
placeofbirth = Fiji
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = convert|1.80|m|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Wing
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = flagicon|Fiji Fiji
Pacific Islanders
ru_nationalyears = 2003-2006
2006
ru_nationalcaps = 9
1
ru_nationalpoints = (45)
(5)
ru_ntupdate = September 4 2008
ru_clubyears = 2003-2008
ru_proclubs = flagicon|France Agen
ru_clubcaps = 66
ru_clubpoints = (185)
ru_clubupdate =
ru_currentclub = No club having left Agen
super14 = flagicon|New Zealand Blues
super14years =2001-2003
super14caps = 14
super14points = (75)
super14currentclub =
super14update =
ru_province = flagicon|New Zealand Northland
ru_provinceyears =2001-2003
ru_provincecaps = 18
ru_provincepoints = (80)
ru_provinceupdate =
ru_sevensnationalyears =2001-2002
ru_sevensnationalteam =flagicon|Fiji Fiji
ru_sevensnationalcaps = 5 tournaments
ru_sevensnationalpoints = 38 tries (190 points)
ru_sevensupdate =
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other =
occupation =
family =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =

Rupeni Caucaunibuca (IPA2|ruː'pɛˌniː 'ðaʊˌðaʊnɪm'buːðɑː, born 5 June 1980) is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays wing for 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' (IPA2|'ðaʊˌðaʊ).

In 2005, 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. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/5028092.stm
title=Banned Caucau gets early reprieve
publisher= BBC Sport
date=29 May 2006
accessdate=2006-06-07] 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. [cite news
url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/News/story_51919.shtml
title=Italy fall to Fiji in Lautoka: Caucau and company leave Azzurri standing
publisher= Planet-Rugby.com
date=17 June 2006
accessdate=2006-06-17] 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. [cite news
url=http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_32255.shtml
title=No Early Retirement for Caucau
publisher= /www.fijivillage.com
date=11 August 2006
accessdate=2006-08-30] 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. [cite news
url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/News/story_54580.shtml
title=Agen snatch a late victory
publisher= Planet-Rugby.com
date=20 October 2006
accessdate=2006-10-22]

Caucaunibuca has been described in the media as "one of the fastest and most flamboyant players in international rugby".cite news
url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/10/09/rugby.france/index.html
title= Fiji wing wins French rugby award
publisher=CNN
date=October 9, 2006
accessdate=2006-12-19] 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." [cite news
last=Lothian
first=Bill
title=Paterson ready to face 'world's best player'
url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=1691172006
publisher=scotsman.com
date=2006-11-15
accessdate=2006-12-19] England international centre Mike Tindall describes him as "the best player I have ever played against." [cite news
url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/12_6300.php
title=High Praise for Man-of-the-Match Rupeni
publisher=
date=12 January 2007
accessdate=2007-01-14] For the last two seasons in France, Caucaunibuca has been the league's top try scorer. [ [http://www.lnr.fr/Menus.asp?CR=16354&CSR=16379&CSSR=61128 Official TOP 16 statistics, 2004-05] (in French; click on "Les meilleurs marquers"). Accessed 2006-06-17.] [ [http://www.lnr.fr/Menus.asp?CR=16354&CSR=16379 Official TOP 14 statistics, 2005-06] (in French; click on "Les meilleurs marquers"). Accessed 2006-06-17.] In October 2006 he was awarded France's Player of the Year award.

He was named in the Pacific Islanders rugby union team 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.

On April 9 2007 it was announced that Rupeni had incurred a 3 month ban after testing positive for cannabis use following Agen's Top 14 match against Montauban on March 24cite web|url=http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_2175075,00.html|title=Caucaunibuca gets three-month ban|publisher=Planet Rugby|date=2007-06-08|accessdate=2008-05-16] . This followed a generally poor season for both club and player in which Rupeni 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 in the Digicel Cup after being out of action for over 5 months. He has played 4 games to date for them, scoring 5 tries, which has boosted his career once again since he is currently receiving offers from the Guinness Premiership side Leicester Tigers and the Super 12 franchise, NSW Waratahs [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=98398] .

He is also honorary chairman of Rupeni RFU touch rugby team.

ee also

*List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FQ-8IkBqC0 Video of Caucaunibuca's 2003 World Cup try for Fiji against France]