Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Rupeni Caucau scores his first try for Toulouse
The goal for Caucau, and all Fijian and in fact neutral fans, would be to have him fit, on form, and turning out for his country at the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.
His move to table topping Toulouse was probably the best thing for him as hes managed to shed some of his bulk and by all accounts seems to be playing some decent rugby, with this try in particular proving vital in the tight Top 14 game on the weekend.
His slick handling set up a nice run from fellow Fijian Vilimoni Delasau, who returned the favour for Caucan to dash away, beating a few hapless La Rochelle backs. He also made a nice tackle earlier in the game, showing hes adept at second centre as he kept an eye on his man, fullback Greg Goosen, all the way, then squashed him into touch.
The former Auckland Blues superstar, who scored 15 tries in 14 Super Rugby caps, was recently named as being in the top five of greatest ever Super Rugby players.
"Rupeni Caucaunibuca became the competition's most feared winger," the website said.
"Caucau's ball running almost defied belief. In full flight it appeared as though he was in second gear, yet chasing defenders still invariably ended up eating grass. The Fijian had the strength and power of a forward while also possessing blinding pace."
It now remains to be seen if his comeback has been left far too late, or if he will in fact make it to the top to show off his considerable talents at the show piece of world rugby.
Time: 02:20
Posted at 10:17 am | 44 comments
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Viewing 44 comments
Nick February 16, 2011 10:25 am
How does he move that fast? Caucau the man who defies basic scientific laws. Nice hit in the first clip.
Good to see Michalak playing again, looks like some of that spark is returning. Is he back playing at 10?
Good to see Michalak playing again, looks like some of that spark is returning. Is he back playing at 10?
SpencaH February 16, 2011 10:32 am
Lets see if rupeni screws up again when he looses interest as always......biggest waste of talent ever.
Ref manages to keep up well ;)
Ref manages to keep up well ;)
Tanqueray February 16, 2011 12:13 pm
"All the work made by Delasau !"
Really? Pretty nice bit of skill by Caucau to get the ball to him in the first place.
No man that big should be able to move that quickly.
Really? Pretty nice bit of skill by Caucau to get the ball to him in the first place.
No man that big should be able to move that quickly.
Colombes February 16, 2011 12:23 pm
fatty cacau
toulouse have problems of rich persons. With maybe 8 of their internationals in selection, they can present a "B" team with michalak, caucau, sowerby,poux vergallo,or bezy...
caucau must lose some kilos and he could be in new zealand
toulouse have problems of rich persons. With maybe 8 of their internationals in selection, they can present a "B" team with michalak, caucau, sowerby,poux vergallo,or bezy...
caucau must lose some kilos and he could be in new zealand
Anonymous February 16, 2011 12:33 pm
Isn't that the Scottish guy from Austin Powers? He seems to have a tan, but I'm sure it's the same guy...
Anonymous February 16, 2011 12:36 pm
I heard that tolouse train him with a microwave bell. They get 3 guys to hold him, put a microwave 100 metres away and then make it *ding* apparently they've never Seen anyone break out of 3 guys grips an run so fast in all your life...
olwakachangchang February 16, 2011 12:43 pm
Isa Nacewa should bite the bullet and play for Fiji too
Flipje February 16, 2011 12:48 pm
Good play from both Fidjian.
Happy for him, hope he will continue working hard with Noves & Elissade, so he can be fit for the WC.
Toulouse is a bit of a family club, as long as he does not make too much fuss and keep working for the group, things can only improved for him.
Happy for him, hope he will continue working hard with Noves & Elissade, so he can be fit for the WC.
Toulouse is a bit of a family club, as long as he does not make too much fuss and keep working for the group, things can only improved for him.
Anonymous February 16, 2011 12:52 pm
Nacewa would be a good addition for Fiji except i dont think the players would respect him for trying to erase his cap so he could play for the all blacks
Anonymous February 16, 2011 1:28 pm
if there was one man who can sort out caucau its guy noves. hes definitely not overrated hes just a complete loose cannon. gavin henson - now there is a man who is over rated. yeah it would be great to see nacewa at 15 for fiji and and caucau at centre. bobo and delesau on the wings
SmellyNerfherder February 16, 2011 3:25 pm
His tactical awareness is great, but he's got a belly on him like a third team hooker. He needs to get serious about his conditioning if he wants to play world cup rugby.
Anonymous February 16, 2011 4:43 pm
really hope he looses still some more pounds!
would be amazing to be a FIT AND NOT FAT CAUCAU at the next rwc!
If he should nout loose any more pounds fiji should thinking about bringing caucau in as a prop ;)
would be amazing to be a FIT AND NOT FAT CAUCAU at the next rwc!
If he should nout loose any more pounds fiji should thinking about bringing caucau in as a prop ;)
EARugbyFan February 16, 2011 6:34 pm
Bet many of you are a little over half his age and could not beat him in a Foot Race.
On the topic of his cynicism/lack of commitment to fitness.
Would you think that Toulouse would add certain stipulations to his contract, or how does it work? I mean, if he keep scoring tries...
On the topic of his cynicism/lack of commitment to fitness.
Would you think that Toulouse would add certain stipulations to his contract, or how does it work? I mean, if he keep scoring tries...
Anonymous February 16, 2011 6:40 pm
IF - and it's a big if - Caucau can get properly fit in time then this RWC could well be the last hurrah for that generation of Fijian magicians - bobo, caucau, delasau, rabeni, ligairi.
When you've got VuliVuli, Goneva, Nalaga and Tagicakibau to pick from too, you know they're going to have some awesome outside backs whether they go for youth or experience.
When you've got VuliVuli, Goneva, Nalaga and Tagicakibau to pick from too, you know they're going to have some awesome outside backs whether they go for youth or experience.
Anonymous February 16, 2011 9:07 pm
It's actually sad to watch someone as good as him in that condition. He'll get better, fitter, etc, but he'll never get his body back to where it should be and hit the level he deserved to play at.
Anonymous February 16, 2011 10:12 pm
That is what has become of one of the most naturally gifted wingers in rugby history...great try but does he not get up in the morning and look at himself in the mirror and think 'Damn I used to be in great shape, and was one of the most feared wingers in world rugby...now i'm a really fast prop.'
Brig February 16, 2011 10:47 pm
Think Guscott is going to have to rethink his "fastest prop in world rugby" quote regarding Gibbs
The Frenchman February 16, 2011 11:11 pm
Confusion ! It was not Caucau. It was Bastareaud.
Ha, ha, ha.
Ok, we all can joke about it. But let them play, let them live, let them have fun, let them have and give pleasure. This is only rugby. He runs fast, he's talented, spectacular, spirited : who cares about his weight ? Give me one Caucau, I'll send you ten Traille or ten d'Arcy !
Toulouse is the place for him; Novs is the guy.
Ha, ha, ha.
Ok, we all can joke about it. But let them play, let them live, let them have fun, let them have and give pleasure. This is only rugby. He runs fast, he's talented, spectacular, spirited : who cares about his weight ? Give me one Caucau, I'll send you ten Traille or ten d'Arcy !
Toulouse is the place for him; Novs is the guy.
The Englishman February 17, 2011 12:41 am
^^^^
Ummm, you can keep your ten d'arcy's but I'll take your ten trailles!!!
Ummm, you can keep your ten d'arcy's but I'll take your ten trailles!!!
Jono February 17, 2011 1:01 am
I don;t understand how a club like Toulouse, that's supposed to be at the top of the tree in Europe can have fatties running around.
Don't get me wrong, Caucau is talented, but you'd think they'd make him lose some bloody weight.
Don't get me wrong, Caucau is talented, but you'd think they'd make him lose some bloody weight.
Tom February 17, 2011 1:03 am
In Superugby, he'd get his arse fired for being this fat.
I guess we just take rugby more seriously than the French.
Maybe that's why they don't reach their potential.
I guess we just take rugby more seriously than the French.
Maybe that's why they don't reach their potential.
Canadian content February 17, 2011 1:24 am
Tom ur right about the French not reaching their potential. They should have done much better than knocking the all blacks out of 2 of the last 4 rwcs...
Wait a second, don't all the abs play super rugby? That's weird?
Toulouse is a world class club who've given a former world class player a chance to regain his form again. Good on them, looks like it's paying dividends.
I for one love to see a fat guy showing the fitness models a thing or two. It's rugby you fairies, not a body building contest.
I would love to see caucau at the rwc. When Fiji are on, they are he most entertaining world rugby team and incredibly dangerous, one great corner flagging tackle by a bok wing from knocking sa outta the last rwc.
Ahh, but what would u haters have to do if u couldn't come on this site and criticize a player whose boot laces you couldn't even carry.
Tks rd for giving them an outlet.
Wait a second, don't all the abs play super rugby? That's weird?
Toulouse is a world class club who've given a former world class player a chance to regain his form again. Good on them, looks like it's paying dividends.
I for one love to see a fat guy showing the fitness models a thing or two. It's rugby you fairies, not a body building contest.
I would love to see caucau at the rwc. When Fiji are on, they are he most entertaining world rugby team and incredibly dangerous, one great corner flagging tackle by a bok wing from knocking sa outta the last rwc.
Ahh, but what would u haters have to do if u couldn't come on this site and criticize a player whose boot laces you couldn't even carry.
Tks rd for giving them an outlet.
Tom February 17, 2011 2:32 am
Wow, the internet turns people into aresholes, always amazes me.
Feel free to disagree mate, but keep it civil eh?
Feel free to disagree mate, but keep it civil eh?
Jonno February 17, 2011 3:57 am
Tom if anything you're the arsehole. Your comment that Canadian replied to was extremely judgemental and lackin in any fact.
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'don't reach their potential'....if you're referring to tolouse then Yes they haven't come off completely on top every game but the flair they show is fantastic...whereas if you're talking about France as an international team then I suggest you look up caucau's country of origin, I think you'll find his portlyness will have no bearing on the French international team...
I think the real point to note here is, this guy is a fat out of shape bloke, however he is still a powerful runner, fantastic ball handler and is fast as f*ck, oh and he can tackle pretty well too... So yes he could do with shedding a few pounds or stones and toning up, but why bther? The guy is old, he has no need to to live in the gym....
Honestly you guys are dumb. If you could sit on the sofa all day, do what you want to and just chill, then turn up on a Saturday and play like Caucau does do you really think youd say 'wow I'm out of shape, I better trim up' or do you think you'd say, 'I'm the size of a fucking prop and I can still run rings round your entire team'
Wise up silly boy!
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'don't reach their potential'....if you're referring to tolouse then Yes they haven't come off completely on top every game but the flair they show is fantastic...whereas if you're talking about France as an international team then I suggest you look up caucau's country of origin, I think you'll find his portlyness will have no bearing on the French international team...
I think the real point to note here is, this guy is a fat out of shape bloke, however he is still a powerful runner, fantastic ball handler and is fast as f*ck, oh and he can tackle pretty well too... So yes he could do with shedding a few pounds or stones and toning up, but why bther? The guy is old, he has no need to to live in the gym....
Honestly you guys are dumb. If you could sit on the sofa all day, do what you want to and just chill, then turn up on a Saturday and play like Caucau does do you really think youd say 'wow I'm out of shape, I better trim up' or do you think you'd say, 'I'm the size of a fucking prop and I can still run rings round your entire team'
Wise up silly boy!
Tom February 17, 2011 5:24 am
As I said, disagree, that's fine.
But it's just too easy to be a prick about it on the internet.
I just said something in passing, that Caucau wouldn't be tolerated at his weight in Superugby. He'd get fired for it, no doubt at all.
In the T14 they tolerate it.
I was musing that maybe the French do this because they don't take rugby as seriously as the SH nations. I said this because I read this comment :
"Ok, we all can joke about it. But let them play, let them live, let them have fun, let them have and give pleasure. This is only rugby. He runs fast, he's talented, spectacular, spirited : who cares about his weight ? Give me one Caucau, I'll send you ten Traille or ten d'Arcy !
Toulouse is the place for him; Novs is the guy."
And just as a passing thought, I said maybe that's a prevelant attitude in French rugby, and perhaps that's why the French team (which based just on resources and playing numbers and the natural talent of their athletes should make them consistently challenging for the WC and the top spot on the IRB rankings) doesnt quite reach it's potential.
Of course it's just an opinion and not a well informed one, just a passing comment.
I welcome your comments, maybe you disagree, and you actually make a couple good points in between the vitriolic shit.
All I'm suggesting is you keep it civil.
But it's just too easy to be a prick about it on the internet.
I just said something in passing, that Caucau wouldn't be tolerated at his weight in Superugby. He'd get fired for it, no doubt at all.
In the T14 they tolerate it.
I was musing that maybe the French do this because they don't take rugby as seriously as the SH nations. I said this because I read this comment :
"Ok, we all can joke about it. But let them play, let them live, let them have fun, let them have and give pleasure. This is only rugby. He runs fast, he's talented, spectacular, spirited : who cares about his weight ? Give me one Caucau, I'll send you ten Traille or ten d'Arcy !
Toulouse is the place for him; Novs is the guy."
And just as a passing thought, I said maybe that's a prevelant attitude in French rugby, and perhaps that's why the French team (which based just on resources and playing numbers and the natural talent of their athletes should make them consistently challenging for the WC and the top spot on the IRB rankings) doesnt quite reach it's potential.
Of course it's just an opinion and not a well informed one, just a passing comment.
I welcome your comments, maybe you disagree, and you actually make a couple good points in between the vitriolic shit.
All I'm suggesting is you keep it civil.
Wolfman February 17, 2011 6:37 am
Its one of the most depressing sights in rugby seeing a fat Caucau almost having a heart attack after scoring a try.
He is the most naturally talented and gifted rugby player I have seen, and it is such a shame that someone can waste their talents like that.
He is the most naturally talented and gifted rugby player I have seen, and it is such a shame that someone can waste their talents like that.
Scotsdale February 17, 2011 7:34 am
If any of you cared to do a bit of research or stay in touch with things, he actually HAS lost weight already. It doesn't happen overnight. He got huge at one stage. Hes heading in the right direction, contrary to what some of you think.
And he can still move!
And he can still move!
Von February 17, 2011 8:17 am
Why are so many people so obsessed that he must lose weight? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, but he doesn't look much (if at all) fatter than he was in 2003 to me. And look what he ahieved then.
OK he's eight years older so probably can't get away with it quite so much, but in all the recent footage I've seen of him I have not seen him struggle for pace.
OK he's eight years older so probably can't get away with it quite so much, but in all the recent footage I've seen of him I have not seen him struggle for pace.
Tim February 17, 2011 10:43 am
Um, caucau is not Toulouse first pick.... I don't know if you know that Tom....
But he is great on the bench. Where is your evidence about him being fired if he played for super rugby for being his size? That's rubbish...
But he is great on the bench. Where is your evidence about him being fired if he played for super rugby for being his size? That's rubbish...
Tom February 17, 2011 9:58 pm
That simply wouldn't be tolerated in Superugby.
The Brumbies looked at him and rejected him on that very basis.
The Brumbies looked at him and rejected him on that very basis.
Tim February 18, 2011 12:13 am
Rejected cos he was fat...
I doubt it.
Rejected cos of his past and the risk in taking him on?
probably.
You talking out your ass?
Definately..
I doubt it.
Rejected cos of his past and the risk in taking him on?
probably.
You talking out your ass?
Definately..
Tom February 18, 2011 12:27 am
He was rejected because he was unfit.
They don't give a shit about his past, why would they?
If they cared about his past they wouldn't have looked at him in the first place.
I get that you're offended, and are defending European rugby, so forget about it.
But there isn't a back in Superugby with this kind of weight.
It doesn't happen in Superugby, fitness is massivley important.
They don't give a shit about his past, why would they?
If they cared about his past they wouldn't have looked at him in the first place.
I get that you're offended, and are defending European rugby, so forget about it.
But there isn't a back in Superugby with this kind of weight.
It doesn't happen in Superugby, fitness is massivley important.
Anonymous February 18, 2011 4:25 am
um caucau rejected brumbies for leicster,which did not evantuate.stop speculating.
Auckblu22 February 18, 2011 5:50 am
Tom, although you seem like a highly informed individual, thought you should know. No teams were willing to take caucau because he comes from a background of essentially primative living in a remote Fijian island, and for that reason he never adapts well. Leicester didnt take him because the deal fell through, and I would imagine numerous super rugby teams did as well. He was already in France, with other Fijians he knew well, hence why Toulouse took him on. Toulouse have been the best team to watch in the northern hemisphere for some time and are consistently a successful team. Theres no point trying to insult super rugby because it is great to watch also, and theres no point in insulting you either, because everyone on here is aware that your an idiot, and that is the opinion of a NZer.
Anonymous February 18, 2011 11:40 am
lol i love how every ones making fun of his weight but he clearly outpaces the other teams backs and his faster than anyone making fun of him...
cheyanqui February 18, 2011 4:45 pm
can you name a "fat half" on your team, and slot him in the backline?
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