Rupeni Caucaunibuca Super 12 Highlights With Original Commentary! Blues 2003 2004 Rugby Season

Rupeni Caucaunibuca was one of my all-time favourite rugby players. He came to New Zealand, from Fiji, in 2003 and took the rugby world by storm, starring for Northland and then for the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 competition, the Southern Hemisphere's premier rugby competition. He starred in multiple world cups for Fiji and went on to play out his career in France, demolishing defences everywhere he went.
This man was, and always will be regarded as the one of the most gifted players we have ever come across in rugby, to this date. The ease in which he would canter along, it seems at half pace, and step in and out in his stride, bamboozling defences worldwide.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed putting it together, reliving all the old epic memories. Rupeni was absolutely amazing to see live on TV. I never did see him in the flesh, but man, was he my hero.
This is what sport is all about. At this stage I've made about 15-20 highlight videos and will be releasing them throughout the coming weeks and months, whilst always, always, adding videos to the list, ready to publish. I appreciate all the support and just want to do my bit to get the game of rugby on more of a global stage and I think I'm doing alright, you know.
Thanks for watching my video and have a great day!
Become a channel member and gain early access to my newest videos! / @jacobmcdonald27
Follow me on social media here! linktr.ee/jaco...

[@CR1981-]

Rupeni was in a class all by himself. I played against him in my super rugby debut for the Brumbies and I remember giving him the outside and thinking I had him covered, well, we saw how that went :) along with Christian Cullen probably the greatest broken field runners to ever lace a boot.

[@moapenaleba7930]

Bula Clyde..from Fiji

[@utusheens]

Tough debut Mr. Rathbone, that led to a glittering career. Congratulations. This is the highest praise indeed...especially when a legendary international winger says “Rupeni was in a class all by himself”🥇

[@Reformed1-e1c]

Mate you were one of the fastest backs from Australia in that era, you scared us in a few test matches with your speed.

[@hibbsas9029]

One of the greatest rugby player names in the history of the game

[@waisvarani7077]

Along with caucau, vidiri, lomu you were one of my favourite outside backs to watch Clyde. Loved watching you run around for the brumbies. Those were the best days of rugby.

[@GnJs6PackTraining]

About once a year I come and watch this video, and just marvel at Rupeni picking up that ball without losing speed, the balance, sideway stepping without any loss of pace. Still haven't seen anyone as good as this in the modern game.

[@yessirrr5182]

Yeah I was obsessed watching him everyday, his style and everything he does is perfect

[@davyblackfoot]

I was at that game - in the pissing down rain - and live you could see that Rupeni put the burst of pace on before he scooped the ball up . Saw it live - still couldn't believe it

[@georgereedy762]

I'm back! So good

[@nacanacanieli5238]

i think no one will ever compare to how great he was on the field, his just toooo good

[@GnJs6PackTraining]

Back again so so good

[@jaytee7275]

NZ wanted to change the eligibility rules so that Rupeni could play for the All Blacks. That type of recognition and demand puts you at the top of the list across the board.

[@HaapaiTeUrioHau]

My favourite player of all time that was way ahead of his time. No one comes close to his prowess.

[@blairansellfraser]

He looks like he’s on a Sunday morning jog, as he glides past the fastest backs of that era...

[@ilianakunaqoro230]

lmaooooo

[@eshay8546]

It's about what you do but how easy you make it look aswel

[@mrtee4474]

He's on gliding on cruise control, just imagine if he was on full tilt! 😱

[@roychalmers5271]

Couple of times thete dougie struggled to keep up

[@sereanaduwai8313]

Rupeni playing touch rugby.

[@loveadventures88]

2003 World Cup was all about Caucau . The world wants to come and watching him. Will be any winger in the world of rugby will ever reach his level of raw talent? Since his time we can’t see any winger like him past , present and the future.

[@loveadventures88]

You never show all his highlights

[@bikesnippets]

One of the three greatest wingers of all time along with Jonah Lomu and Brian Habana. Had he chosen to be an All Black (they tried to get him), he'd be the holder of every try scoring record and universally recognised as the greatest. Didn't have Jonah's iconic moments or Habana's volume of tries, but at his peak was noticeably better than both in attack and defence.

[@Wayaboy10]

All Blacks would have won 4 back to back RWCs and everything else in the trophy cabinet 😂😂😂

[@joelcaucau9968]

First of all God Bless Rupeni and his family. His balance, speed, skill, confidence and effortless talent was truly amazing. He is surely one of the greatest wingers of all time.

[@that682kid.C]

The speed of this man brings back good old childhood memories the fact he jogged his way to the try line everytime didn't really need to put the pedal down. One of the best wingers in history

[@npd6225]

Played against him in France when he was overweight and he was still awesome and fast. Can’t believe he played soccer till he was 17 then took up rugby. 🤯

[@pexfj7158]

Filipo Daugunu- a Fijian blood also played soccer and played rugby for Australia

[@abhijeetchandra4657]

To be honest Fijians are naturally gifted at sports 👊🏼

[@opetaiaseni1955]

@@pexfj7158 No one is talking about Filipo daugunu.🤦‍♂️

[@sandpaper631]

I've actually smoked a joint with this guy in suva. He's just full of smiles and he now enjoys life in his village in bua

[@brasspak7023]

Stop lying..

[@jdalex704]

@@brasspak7023 😂😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@zizankapeli6384]

Vamatana

[@cozzyinternet4706]

you mean, you shined his boots in suva..... hahha

[@joshuadraunidalo5070]

Con Mann

[@davidabbot1990]

This is what you call Raw talent!

[@sakaraiakuinikoro2432]

Raw as bro.. less then 12 months he came from village to Suva to Northland without speaking English except for yes, no , come , go .. true story I was watching he’s interview with Dan Leo last night.. faaa.. all he needed was a some one to manage him ..

[@peacepeace01]

probably my favourite rugby player of all time he makes it look too easy haha

[@peceliuluiviti5120]

Only Rupeni can do this amazing stuff in Professional rugby at 40% fitness level. That's what sets him apart from the rest.

[@jaromejackandrews5552]

"World winning teams and Caucau blasts them to bits" what a sensational alright

[@rexsmith9074]

This dude is a beast. Came for the NFL, saw this guy instead. Amazing.

[@josefa372]

I’ve never seen anyone who reads the game really well like Caucau... it almost looks like he has super powers!!! It always gives me chills when I watch this guy!!!! What a talent!!!!

[@vonivateravonu8574]

Fiji 🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯 is the factory of all world class wingers!

[@vilikuli7392]

In he’s prime he could burn anyone⚡️

[@knowstradamusucka5713]

Thus man is pure inertia there is no stoping his speed and power with that smooth stride

[@freshasimis526]

I use to cheer for the blues because of caucau.He was talented made rugby look easy that's how good he was

[@townmiles8691]

Just don't understand how I thought back then that this quality of video was the best ever. Caucau was a beast.

[@Limpbizcut]

Mesmerizing his way of running looked like he was always jogging But beating opponents with ease

[@davidunoi7099]

The deadliest wing EVER to lace up.

[@abhijeetchandra4657]

Be the best player around now 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@tarzus7710]

No doubt

[@chocolate101f9]

This man stands alone in rugby great wingers! Absolutely amazing

[@yessirrr5182]

why I always get tears of joy after watching this guy

[@moapebatinikeli3176]

I can watch his highlights all day everyday lol

[@cosmosdaze]

Most talented and naturally gifted player I've ever seen!

[@johnjackson405]

Beauden Barrett and Reiko Ioane: I'm the fastest rugby player of all time Rupeni Caucau: Hold my Kava

[@chillian1985]

caucau with howlett and rokoroko and spencer at fly half...the best blues team

[@hippz11]

Don't forget mils and rico

[@f1j11slander4]

hippz nepz if you mean rico gear, i thought he was with the Crusaders then.

[@hippz11]

@@f1j11slander4 I think you are right bro

[@hippz11]

Actually I did a bit searching, rico gear played for the Blues 2003 to 2004 then went to crusaders 2005

[@JacobMcDonald27]

Hosea and Rico are just as good as each other brahs :)

[@dennismealamu1500]

Bula power nd speed in 1. One of the best wingers from the blues. #uptheBLUES ⚪🔵⚪🔵

[@lennard]

Him and Lonu are 2 of the greatest wingers to have ever played the game

[@billroks313]

Boy oh boy he was gifted the vision speed strength and the casual calmness that always gets me after he scores..Bula re Rup🙂

[@andrewcavenagh9016]

The most naturally talented rugby player I have ever seen....

[@k.o.t.h]

Greatest blues winger in possibly the greatest blues backline ever….n they’ve had plenty

[@amigomexico1618]

My best years of watching supper rugby while Rupeni Caucau playing. The best year that was..

[@aeugenegray]

Just googled my first rugby player, pretty damn amazing.

[@DrewHollenback]

Im starting to really like these rugby highlights

[@davyblackfoot]

i was at that game against the brumbies in the pissing down rain when he scooped the ball up in one hand for the runaway try - the amazing thing was he put the burst of speed on BEFORE he picked the ball up...

[@savewaqa5687]

Michael Jordan of Rugby 🙌🏽

[@yessirrr5182]

Na he's the one and only caucau

[@maciuchrissakealevu2054]

The best winger no one is close to his class.. Favourite player all time❤❤

[@iloveBigTits]

The G.O.A.T🏆🥇 The only Athlete EVER who could defeat an opposing "Team" ALL-BY-HIMSELF!!! In the Super 12 at blue's training he would sleep on a Fijian Mat in the shade while his teammates did laps around the field! Rupeni would have a KAVA session before game's! 🤦🏾‍♂️🤣 He's not even 💯% fit in these videos. Imagine in a parallel Universe where Rupeni has discipline, lives a healthy lifestyle like today's top tier Athletes, has a great support network of nutritional, mental health and resistance coaches.... Imagine the Amazing highlight reels and Legacy Caucaunibuca would have left behind.🤦🏾‍♂️SMH No other Athlete has matched his skillset to this day! Our only hope is his teenage son who is even faster than Rupeni. #blessed🙏🏾 #godgiventalent😇 #flyingfijians🇫🇯🏝️💪🏿🏉 #G.O.A.T

[@patrickjacobsen7805]

He was Deceptively fast and his stepping and goose step game was nek level.

[@altie29]

had to check this out after you mentioning him in different NFL running back videos. guy was a beast.

[@al_alldaychriswilliams85rf16]

Nice video and Rupeni is a beast. My first Rugby video highlight. You are becoming an ambassador between two different sports fans.

[@kaeso101]

Of all the Fijian player highlights ive seen on KZbin Caucau is clearly the best. I mean yeah sure the likes of Radradra and Tuisova are great but there are certain reasons why Caucau is viewed with such high regard despite how his career turned out. One..when players make a line break and score..they clearly put in all the effort and strenght they have and you can see it.. with Caucau that was never the case. He making those tries looks easy and just basically jogging and beating defenders like they were made of paper...half the effort yet same result. Secondly.. whats more mindblowing to realize is that all those tries we saw there..Caucau was never really fit and was actually overweight. He never had muscles on muscles like other players do and he himself once admitted that he never really took training seriously... but yet he overpowered those fit guys so easily and that is true natural talent.

[@COSMOKRAT_616]

This man would be a beast in the NFL.

[@billwilliamdexter2300]

Quite savvy this guy.The interesting thing about Rupeni is where he positions himself on the field of play.In some scenarios he runs from the opposite wing to get involved in the play where he finish the move or an assist to the process. His game reading is savvy.Always an asset in the process rather than somewhere near to a liability.Cheers Rup.

[@tomjoyce6365]

Rupeni was the most naturally gifted player I’ve ever seen. Not quite as powerful as lomu but much more elusive and quicker over 60m and maybe 100m and well. We have a young English version now in Arundell. Similar height, body shape etc.

[@helgar791]

Nice. Strong, fast, quick feet. Strength above and below the waist. Nice. He also had a nice change of pace.

[@keezyahomana5379]

My Top 5 rugby players of all time and he is number 1.. I just wished he stayed healthy with everything he did on and off the field and wish someone would've took care of him.. he would've been famous or more famous then lomu.. but hey he happy with his life so errthang gud

[@hocake8242]

Would have loved to have seen him in the ABs and at full potential. Not sure if we ever saw the best of him

[@cya7605]

I missed this mighty blues team.

[@ghulse3529]

NFL vids are great but I love these Rugby player vids. Keep em coming bro.

[@yessirrr5182]

Greatest winger ever, the best , discipline was his downfall

[@hatred2k]

No idea what’s happening but I’m enjoying it

[@setategu5733]

Still feels good watching this in 2022

[@williambaglme819]

The reason why I support the Blues🙏

[@Dodinpepes]

hahahaaa🤣🤣🤣🤣rathbone struggling to catch him n his not even trying to run away😂😂😂

[@rayprice5248]

Imagine if blues could have fielded this back line. No team could match this strike power! 9 piatau 10 spencer 11 caucau 12 ranger 13 nonu 14 howlett / rokocoko 15 muliaina But 2003 blues back line was pretty close! 🙌🏽💪🏽

[@seansmith9936]

This team is shit🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jpowell2603]

Imagine this guy as an NFL running back wow!

[@jamesmilne4233]

Best back three in rugby history... Caucaunibca, Howlett and Rokocoko. Speed and magic.

[@Rebelass74]

It’s awesome because Rupeni is the best winger of all time but about the era of Lomu, Cullen, Wilson/Umaga?

[@commoner477]

If I had to choose a backline to play for my life I'd choose this blues team

[@Oda7643]

Early grinding for your channel. Respect ✊

[@tamanimaiesia5344]

In the opening play, he had soo much pace that he had time to direct Howlett into position but eventually gassed Rathbone, Roff and Howlett himself. What a freak of nature!

[@dumpsterboy7]

I'm not very knowledgable on rugby, but out of all you rugby videos I think rupeni is my favorite so far! He has great body control.

[@n.b.tschoolsrugby6446]

Jonah Lomu is the Jim Brown of Rugby. Rupeni is the Barry Sanders

[@paulmihaere8270]

Check out Christian Cullen His highlights reel is just as impressive and they played in the same era

[@hafa7887]

Dude is a beast, good hands and vision, seems humble in his body language plus mud trucker power legs. He would of been a killer FB in the west coast offense, William Floyd type but faster and quicker thats fuckin scary, dudes got that Eric Dickerson grace speed, plays fast and makes it slow down to him awesome vid

[@kingkapisi1080]

Is there a clip of him doing a suplex on the opposition player? This was when he was raw before heading to NZ.

[@bopbopanna]

Absolute class.

[@kamerongladney2412]

It’s so effortless.

[@TwoKnew]

i’ve been watching you all night man. love the NFL reactions. i’m from the US and love the game of football, and because if you’re channel i’m interested in rugby, i’ve never watched it or really known anything about it before i’ve watched your vids

[@noahshaffer8043]

This dude is blazing fast 😮 holy crap.

[@fiji82bad]

Got to be the most naturally gifted winger that never represented a top tier team. Such a shame he never got a chance to shine for long at international level.

[@godisbollocks]

Rupeni Caucau, Doug Howlett, and Joe Rokocoko all on one team. That's ridiculous.

[@roymeors7778]

He was unbelievable, but with speed he was chased down by Lome Fa'atau in Wellington in 2002/2003 when the Blues thrashed the Hurricanes.I remember Spencer with the cut out pass to Rupeni and I thought well no one is going to catch him but then within 20 metres he was chased down by Fa'atau..But by miles a better player than Fa'atau..Blues all day baby

[@teenyweeny79]

Was that the game he broke his leg?? Cos he’d scored twice and was complaining about his leg. Grant Fox was on the Blues staff and made him stay out on the field until the doctor took him off. That was the end of his season.

[@paulmihaere8270]

He was better than Faatau but he was a pretty damn good winger himself

[@marcuscowart4985]

Yo this dude is really good looks like he would be really good even in the NFL

[@kofithagoat74]

Big fan bro been watching for a long time name Kofi your the goat

[@JoryxFromJack]

You should make a vid showing the basics in rugby that would be ight for sure....legion of boom my guy search em up 😂😂.

[@silajeep1]

His running style is very much like that of an NFL running back, his upper torso leaning forward allowing him to power through tacklers and with flat feet planted when running to enable full speed turns and cuts without losing his stride too much. He probably could have ran the 100m in the mid 10s I suspect, given how easily he outran other wingers. I think Doug Howlett ran the 100m in the high 10s if I remember rightly.

[@islander_Fj]

I think he was at 10 flat during his prime .. Cos he has outpace the likes of Lote Tuqiri,Vunibaka,Major and many more faster blokes in rugby who all ran at 10-11 scs per 100mtrs.

[@Bovice..YT-handles-are-fn-dumb]

He doesn't look fast, but man he can fly!

[@tjrandndjdjs2010]

Ray Lewis he is so inspirational

[@aidanhowell7910]

Sick video bro nice job

[@ronmexico1874]

GOAT!

[@mattw9792]

Ray lewis. Is definitely someone you need to watch

[@Ace-zg3pf]

Jacob you have one of the best social blades rn

[@islander730]

Raw talent from Vanua Levu

[@dub_h7900]

one of a kind

[@wearebluessupporters4lifet424]

Saw Rupeni today at Eden Park….

[@shahidalikhan8619]

Caucau was a monster.

[@Waryan1]

Hey man love the content, it’s making everyone learn about rugby and American football. Which is good for both sports. Here’s a player you will enjoy and is my personal favorite. Sometimes the best gets no respect. Harrison Smith “Harry the Hitman”

[@Waryan1]

Also the history behind the Minnesota Vikings is always interesting

[@fiji82bad]

I would have loved to see him play alongside Jonah and Cullen in their primes.

[@jacobheisesr9160]

awesome video has a beast

[@rybru6975]

Can you make a video explaining the basics of rugby. I really want to find a team to follow seeing how my bears might not be good for a while lol

[@pcs54]

I can give you a simple explanation if you want. There are 15 players on each team, divided into 8 forwards and 7 backs. Forwards make up the scrum and are usually bigger and physical and the backs are faster, skilled. The rules are you have to try to reach the endzone and ground the ball for a try/touchdown. When you score a try theres also a conversion/kick. But the "touchdown" is 5 points and kick 2 points instead and you kick wherever the ball goes on the ground so if you score on the outside you have to kick from a worse angle. Theres also a kick when u get a penalty and thats worth 3 points. You can only pass the ball backwards but you can kick it forwards. You cant block, only tackle the guy who has the ball and you arent allowed to tackle above the shoulders. Theres other small rules you will pick up if you watch. And when it comes to who you want to support, theres international teams and club teams. So you can choose a nation to support for the world cup and many other competitions, from 21. October - 24. November there will be a bunch of international games you can watch, also right now on weekends there are some. So the biggest rugby nations are : New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, France, Wales + Argentina/Scotland who arent always good but good right now. New Zealand is by far the best team in the world but still everyone loves watching them play because they are so entertaining. Basically the patriots if everyone loved them. Ireland right now is probably the second best team. Then england, south africa, australia, france, wales, argentina are all on the same level. So just chose what country you like or find some players you like. Then you got club rugby which you also have to divide into different leagues. So basically theres 4 big leagues, premiership rugby (England) top 14 (France) pro 14 (Ireland,Wales,Scotland,Italy) Super Rugby (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina). My favorite one is super rugby. And there you can chose from 15 teams. But the season just ended so it starts next year, so right now you can focus on international rugby more.

[@beefgomoo7529]

I love your videos been here send 1k subs and your always on the grind even making videos this early or late for me it's late

[@pioburese3775]

🐐

[@ng6121]

He made elite rugby players look like amateurs😂, freak of nature

[@nathaniele.8287]

Yeah....this guy's a badass And you should react to this great defensive lineman named JJ Watt, who also plays offense.

[@bgc414]

Nathaniel Escandon he plays defense 😂

[@nathaniele.8287]

beau mcneeley No, he also plays tight end every once in a while

[@askabourgo]

"The Play" ...Dont worry im a patient guy!!

[@boohoo151]

Classic viti player

[@Oda7643]

Waiting for your reaction to Ladainian Tomlinson. One of the greatest running backs of all time

[@buddylee8570]

LT!

[@alastairday1358]

true great