Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Rupeni Caucau is back - Hatrick vs Toulon
The big Fijian left wing, who has been out for most of the season due to his poor disciplinary record (which includes absence without leave and testing positive for the use of cannabis), scored a thrilling hatrick of tries in his comeback match for Agen against the Pro D2 (French second division) leaders Toulon .
Scoring the first try in under 3 minutes, Rupeni made a huge impact. I say huge not only because of the quality of the try, but because he is now tipping the scales at a hefty 115 kgs/253 pounds. If it weren't for his number he could easily be mistaken for a front rower. In fact, his eating habits have been noted as a problem for his health and have been particularly worrying for his manager.
The Agen manager actually last week stated in the press that the game against Toulon was Rupeni's last chance to perform. The message obviously hit home because perform he did, with three fantastic tries that rejuvenated the Agen fans after a few disappointing performances prior to this thrashing of log leaders Toulon.
The first try, that saw him brushing aside three defenders, was reminiscent of his glory days with Auckland and Fiji. That devastating speed and low centre of gravity once again proved impossible to stop. He made the second try look simple, and his third was sheer class. Making a great tackle, he then got up to pick up the messy ball with one hand and speed away for the try. Very similar to the third try he scored against the Brumbies in 2003 . Not many players in the world can do that when on the run.
Unfortunately Caucaunibuca has only played twice for his country since his dazzling 2003 displays. Fiji haven't been very forgiving towards his disciplinary issues, but French club Agen have given him another chance, and with Monday's startling performance he has more than likely saved his season, and he will hopefully continue to entertain for many games to come.
Final Score: 33-0 to Agen
Posted at 1:12 am | 38 comments
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Viewing 38 comments
Jesse December 26, 2007 5:44 pm
sickit wouldve been awesome to see a fit caucau with fiji in the game vs SA.
mat n December 26, 2007 5:44 pm
great tries, just wishing he would sign for Bris...
hamish m December 26, 2007 6:17 pm
He's a freak of nature. How can a man with that much blubber be so fast?
Christopher December 26, 2007 7:13 pm
I just don't understand that when you have the opportunity that so few people have, how can you make such crappy decisions and not want to be in better shape to absolutely put the screws to people like Habana, Howlett and other talented backs?
Eitan December 26, 2007 8:42 pm
one of the most amazing players ever... wish to see him fit again
Anonymous December 26, 2007 9:04 pm
18stone 1 and he can run that fast, what is up with that guy, was he playin in the top french division in that game?
Anonymous December 26, 2007 10:29 pm
Still a brute, still has ridiculous pace, but what an idiot for not grabbing the moment. Through away the 2007 world cup when Fiji had something to their name, their might not be a chance like that for another 10 years.
Anonymous December 27, 2007 3:57 am
please post hernandezs try in the last super 14 match, it was awsome,Paris would be doomed without him that for sure
G. December 27, 2007 9:11 am
If he had wanted to be the best winger since Lomu, he could have been. But he is not. It's just a talentuous but lazy player, he don't care about what he eat, about July training camp with his team, about training times, he can't be professionnal even with a whole crowd of people pushing him hand on hand.
Anonymous December 27, 2007 11:08 am
Im so happy to see rupeni back he's probably my favourite rugby player, the trys he can score are amazing. However its catch 22 with him because i want to see him fitter and lose some weight to be even better but caucau wouldn't be caucau without a big old belly. Still got great gas though.
dmprfc14 December 27, 2007 1:21 pm
caucau is absolutely incredible, finally there is evidence that he isnt "past it" or "too fat anymore"...if caucau wanted too, he could lose wieght and become undoubtedly the best winger of our time, for any team in the world caucau could be the spark between winning and losing.
Anonymous December 27, 2007 2:33 pm
Little Gregan thinking he's down under, and gettin involved in a little Bagarre. Ehehehe.
Fresh December 29, 2007 3:45 pm
How can people say things like "I've no doubt if he became fit etc then he'd be the best winger in the world". That is such a ludicrous statement! Sure he is gifted and has shown he can do some beautiful running, but who's to say that if he did lose weight, perhaps he wouldn't be easy to tackle and thus less effective. Unless of course you're saying "if he lost the fat and put on 2 stone of muscle..." but then I could pick a number of players and say "if they did this and that then they would potentially be outstanding".Good hat-trick of tries and a player with huge talent, but to say he "could" be the best winger in the world if he got fit is just pointless-because he is far, far behind the likes of habana and rokocoko to name 2 out of many, MANY more!
Ruggerboy December 29, 2007 9:45 pm
One thing is for sure. Someone has to get a firm grip on Caucaunibuca and make him want to be better. He has to pushed to the limits, and be prepared both physically and psychologically to get the most of him. So many people would kill to have is talent. I know I would.
Anonymous December 29, 2007 9:57 pm
Good Job Caucau...But it be better if U were Fitter...
Cheyanqu December 29, 2007 11:31 pm
Rugby's answer to Maradona..The fattest man on two feet.
Dude Lebowski January 02, 2008 2:01 am
If only I could keep my bowling balls out of the gutters. Maybe I can borrow Caucau for a few frames.
Anonymous January 03, 2008 2:27 am
caucau and habana on the wings will be the world team.
Anonymous February 02, 2008 3:29 am
caucau is gettin better but not at his best u see him loose balane a few times which never hapened before but still wow!
Anonymous February 02, 2008 3:32 am
why are most of the great wingers from fiji and the pacific island like lomu,rokocoko,caucau,lote,howlett and more up and comers serosly their like rugby gods down there
Anonymous February 02, 2008 3:34 am
i havent really thought of that but yeah rugbys like in their blood
Anonymous February 02, 2008 3:37 am
man i rekon if u just send some money their way fijian players will be all over the place.they have all the skills but no dough
Anonymous February 20, 2008 10:27 pm
Anyone notice in the second try how agen's 12 pretended to stumble to get rid of his man, then took a switch and broke the line.cheeeeky
fearg March 08, 2008 10:44 pm
he's like George Best. greayest talent youll see. squandered. but still fantastic.
Cheyanqu March 24, 2008 5:38 pm
Didn't George Best say:"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."andin reference to a recent blood transfusion for his liver transplant, "I was in for 10 hours and had 40 pints - beating my previous record by 20 minutes."
JJ March 26, 2008 7:28 am
if only he played for a tier 1 team...say...the All Blacks?funny, as i was watching that last try, couldn't help but notice he's much bigger than the number 6 yet he's probably the fastest on his team....former team i should say.
Dave April 20, 2008 5:20 am
How can people say things like "I've no doubt if he became fit etc then he'd be the best winger in the world". That is such a ludicrous statement! Sure he is gifted and has shown he can do some beautiful running, but who's to say that if he did lose weight, perhaps he wouldn't be easy to tackle and thus less effective. Unless of course you're saying "if he lost the fat and put on 2 stone of muscle..." but then I could pick a number of players and say "if they did this and that then they would potentially be outstanding".Good hat-trick of tries and a player with huge talent, but to say he "could" be the best winger in the world if he got fit is just pointless-because he is far, far behind the likes of habana and rokocoko to name 2 out of many, MANY more!Man you clearly don't know anything about rugby, this man can be the best rugby player ever if you give him the chance, this guy is way faster than Habana when he is totally fit, i hear he's almost as fast or is as fast as Chavanga, he has incredible balance is incredibly hard to tackle, just from that comment you proved you don't know shit if you have no idea about this legend
caucau's no.1 fan June 18, 2008 4:04 pm
the best winger that has ever existed. lomu was great, but if he wasnt huge would he still have been great? habanas on the way to becoming great, yet if you took away the athlete and the ridiculous speed would he still have a good enough rugby brain?caucau was overweight for most of his career, which whatever people say undoubtedly made him slower. whilst you could argue he would be easier to tackle, firstly he very rarely runs directly into people, secondly the added speed would make him harder to catch! besides from pizzas and whole pigs, factor in cannabis use and not training, and he was still better than anyone out there. this 'new' generation of wingers like habana, chavanga and all the others have speed but they will never run lines like this guy
Anonymous July 22, 2008 12:52 am
I just don't understand that when you have the opportunity that so few people have, how can you make such crappy decisions and not want to be in better shape to absolutely put the screws to people like Habana, Howlett and other talented backs?perhaps people just put too much preasure on him. Imagine being expected to do something magic every game you play. maybe the pressure was just too much for caucau so he let himself go, or perhaps his ego just got too big. anyway he's recently played for tailevu club in Fiji and has lost some weight. unfortunatley we will never see caucau as fast as he was in 2001 again. in the 2011 RWC caucau will be 31 years old. he will still be fast and elusive but not his fastest. perhaps he'll even move to center then.
Max August 20, 2008 9:16 am
On his way to Tigers apparently.http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=98398
Anonymous August 27, 2008 7:55 am
Gees he looks fat as compared to how he use to look but he still moves like a bullet imagine how agile he'd be if he lost some weight
Jay September 27, 2008 11:50 pm
fit? fat? does it make a difference? he still scores the same way.pace and skill baby!!
Anonymous October 25, 2008 2:34 am
"why are most of the great wingers from fiji and the pacific island like lomu,rokocoko,caucau,lote,howlett and more up and comers serosly their like rugby gods down there" Howlett is not from fiji or the pacific islands get your facts right mate.
Anonymous October 26, 2008 11:00 am
Caucau is nothing anymore. Once def the greatest potential ever but he's let himself slip. Its near impossible to raise from the slump he's in now. People can say 'if you give him the chance' etc but how many chances has this wonderboy had? If not by now he wont ever get back to his best unfortunately. He 'was' a great spectical - move on people and look for another hero.
g duffy April 26, 2010 8:12 am
Sometimes I think people are preconceived as to what a winger should look like. Fair enough, Caucau is heavier than most wingers (and maybe 'overweight') but he's able to score more trys than the rest. Especially in one match. In 5 seasons with Agen Caucau has averaged 10 trys a season, whereas Habana (whom he constantly seems to be compared to) averaged a little over 9 during his time at the Bulls. Factually, it's clear Caucau gets the job done and can do it better than other top-class wingers. It doesn't metter what he looks like. Rupeni Caucau is a winger that does what all other winger's strive to do.
Watching him is sheer brilliance.
Watching him is sheer brilliance.
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