The reason why Rupeni Caucaunibuca became one of the biggest names in rugby

[@drayday1984]

Never thought early Rupeni footage would ever surface @Rugbypass ..pure Gold.

[@peterm5172]

Couldn’t agree more- genuinely amazing to see

[@travischase78]

💯

[@tomvola8691]

Agree 👍 eager to see his early Fiji 7s series as well have not seen any of that on the internet..this was just an incredible highlight reel

[@6VITU9]

True. Also wish his 7s tries would surface one day. He was so good in his 7s games.

[@MarkWhippy]

Same here. I often search KZbin hoping to find them and finally his 2001 tries are up. They didn’t show his 2002 tries for Northland though. He didn’t score as many that year but still scored some good ones. Also hoping to see his tries against the Hurricanes in 2002. That was his Super Rugby debut.

[@chocolate101f9]

Highlights can’t justify how good this man really is, he was full of speed and talent! I’ve never seen a winger as good as him in my 42 years of rugby! Absolute freak! Bula Fiji love from NZ

[@freetour6134]

Io KIAORA bula vinaka from 🇺🇸 bula boy..94102

[@tjrugbymuscle]

What an unbelievable talent. I remember waking up early and watching him carve up for the blues week in week out. An all-time great

[@MrSilverfish12]

I still can´t believe the blues had Carlos Spencer, Doug Howlett, Mills Muliaina and Joe Rokocoko on the bench during that time. That blues team may have been the greatest club team of all time.

[@Nyasalands_Finest]

​@@MrSilverfish12 add Rico Gear to that list

[@GnJs6PackTraining]

Man, my favorite winger of all time. Made it look effortless. Can watch his highlight reels forever.

[@lotechallender1178]

Pause on 5:56. see the ground Rupeni had to make up on Howlett and Mils before scoring that try. Two world class Allblacks he just smokes

[@that682kid.C]

💯

[@that682kid.C]

💯

[@babyjoe_679]

As in the words of the great "Brian O'driscol" when asked who he thinks is the greatest players he's ever seen or played with or against? And he said, "None like Rupeni Caucau, that bloke can just score a try when he wants to!"

[@Nellyspence]

Did he really say this?

[@babyjoe_679]

@@Nellyspence why do you think I used the " in there? Look it up, when IRB listed down on the top 100 players of all time and he (O'driscol) was in the top 3, they interviewed him and that's what he said!! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Irongaint]

@@babyjoe_679 But.. did he really say this?

[@babyjoe_679]

@@Irongaint troll...why don't you go and look it up yourself if you're sceptical of it!!

[@AreLL]

Brian ain't no great. Pure trash!! Maybe in your country Ireland. He gets no mention ever here in Australia or New Zealand

[@theawkwardobserver8757]

In my personal opinion , one of the best ever . Greetings from South Africa .

[@loveadventures88]

I’ve watch all the wingers in the 60s, 70s, 80, 90s till today, I never seen anyone will like Caucau. His is by miles ahead of all the wingers and makes all them looks average. The Lord of wings.

[@sereanaduwai8313]

You can say that again.

[@Irongaint]

Why is his running style so perfect? guy could've been a world class sprinter with those perfect strides

[@kingzeus36]

I have been good friends with Caucau for many years he was my neighbor in Northland whangarei we would often have friendly games of touch together he was untouchable man even when he was just playing around for fun he could literally jump on the field after eating KFC and being over weight and STILL kick ass. He was an incredible human. He was EXTREMELY!! fast and very explosive, his ACCELERATION!! was second to none, he had supreme balance on both his right and left legs could step on both, he had an unreal ability to defend himself while running alone the sideline he would use his hips to throw his opponents out, his kick and catch skills were unbelievable he was the most complete athlete in rugby and 7s history.

[@Irongaint]

You fijians love creating fake stories to make him look invincible 😂

[@InokeIsilaba-dg4ix]

At least you watched him. How do you rate Rupeni Caucanibuca? Show respect to others for we are Melanesians. Shame on you.

[@tomvola8691]

Funny thing Caucau casually walking back from all those tries barely breaking a sweat while the defenders on their stomachs wondering what went through them 😅

[@RoyJones.]

Or even heavy breathing😂

[@smasher8543]

Even his own team mates running after him for support tryna catch their breath 🤣🤣🤣

[@admaga]

I’ll never tire of watching Rupeni - speed, balance, strength and just that x-factor.

[@AdrienTarraga]

Quite a few Fijian players came to play in France championship but this guy....something else. Like an other comment said he was 130kg but faster than everyone, it’s like that he scored whenever he wanted to ! So happy he made it to Toulouse my hometown as a pre retreat but he still had some gas !!

[@mkg5048]

How do we compare this man to Jonah and Habana? I consider this man the best winger ever but the world doesn't understand, he never played for a allblacks or a SA, he didn't win a lot, but his flair I believe was all alone.

[@sinentlantlasangweni4150]

Well it's simple his a natural... All the other players worked hard, he didn't coz he had to juggle between going home and playing rugby coz he didn't have money to sustain himself and family, that meant he ddnt have much time to train. Pure natural

[@locominyana8916]

....& He won a super rugby title..

[@MarkWhippy]

So glad I can finally see this again. I still remember watching his debut against Taranaki in 01. There’s still more Caucau clips I hope to see one day. He scored some more tries in the 2002 npc. Scored 2 tries against the Hurricanes in 02 when the Blues thrashed them by 60 points. Other tries for Fiji against Argentina, he scored 4 against Chile in 03, one vs Samoa in 06. Also his 2001 sevens tries.

[@billbolt3115]

yes made his debut for Fiji against Argentina in Cordoba in 2003 and scored a try on his debut match

[@peacepeace01]

Pretty sure I got that Hurricanes game on tape, they played it on sky sports

[@sly4x692]

Yeah beat Lomu a couple of times on the outside - that was his blues debut.

[@charlessiale3402]

Just when i thought id seen all of caucau's tries, this comes out. best vid so far of the man who stood out and above everyone at that time. Effortless.

[@eduardowhitlam4179]

The best I ever saw. There have been some pretty damn wingers over the last century, none better than this bloke in his prime.

[@paintedsmite3805]

The greatest attacking player of all time. No question

[@titi64230]

Same when he was fat in France, at Agen and Toulouse . 10,or 15 kg of fat but still the fastest

[@FrancisDietPodcast]

Johan Lomu by far

[@veronica9581]

Great Runner and Footwork, I have met Aussies in Sydney who will travel to France just to see him play; because he SCORES Unbelievable TRIES.....

[@muneshparamsivamgounder9635]

There will never be another Rupeni This guy was playing at a level we only imagined and produced magic on the field which we only was able to do on video games. Vinaka vaka levu Rups

[@KanyeKetchup]

Does he have a son ?

[@savevuniyavi7584]

@@KanyeKetchup , yes.his 15 now, Caucaunibuca says his son is faster then him. His son is attending Suva Grammar school.

[@KanyeKetchup]

Wow I hope Fiji going to be 100m sprinters at Olympics

[@gamblepoints2830]

@@KanyeKetchup they 2fAT

[@francois9747]

@@gamblepoints2830 hey you confusing us with Tongans and Samoans bro, Fijians are mostly lean and athletic.

[@brianfantanamcsexpanther9290]

Remember being amazed at this guy back in the day, incredible talent.

[@suziederkins3310]

When he was playing for Northland, no disrespect to Northland but it's was like having Maradona playing in your under ten football team. He was on a completely different level.

[@RayAdamson]

Rupeni was a once in a lifetime talent. There's a brilliant documentary on KZbin with Dan Leo presenting (I think) and he does a catch up with Rupeni in 2020-ish. Well worth the watch.

[@2valu4ever]

5:55 when he gassed Howlett and Muliaina.. 😮😮😮 Some of the fastest ABs to ever play the game and he just ran around Howlett like he’s a prop.. Bruhhhh kids these days will never know just how good these Legends were.

[@seanrota3359]

I'm still amazed at this guy's ability to score tries, what a talent and such a joy to watch him beat players with his speed and agility.

[@zrkbkb230]

First time I saw this guy was when he came over to play in Vanua Levu for a provincial team Tailevu. Rumour was rife they had a winger with blistering pace that no other winger in Fiji had and that was when Vunibaka was still in his prime. And we all knew Vunibaka was the undisputed Fijian speed demon then. Anyways the man gathers a loose pass deep inside his 22 with zero to no space close to the touchline, he takes off then swerves around the first defender with ease at full pace, steps off his left foot and angles back against the drifting defence beating flailing arms and breaking tackles, then just swerves again and straightens up through a gap with the last man up, swerves right, left, right then decides to gun it for the corner leaving the last with his legs tangled up. It was like the other team were stuck in concrete or completely lost the ability to tackle. And these were rugby players on the local scene everyone knew were elite. It was then I heard the name Rupeni Caucau. Goddaammnnn!!

[@barbell_lifter]

Having lived up in Whangarei for years before leaving NZ, I still remember that famous victory for Northland over Auckland!

[@drakejake484]

This guy was the only reason I watched rugby…..that’s y they call him the untouchable…..👌

[@RoyJones.]

*Bua Bullet

[@skee6793]

Vinaka RugbyPass for the rare footage. Rups definitely one of the greatest wingers in the world. I remember watching the 2003 Super 12 season. BLUES ALL DAY!! Much love from Fiji

[@onlyone6537]

What makes Rupeni Caucau different from the rest of the wingers in the world is his ability to beat world class players and world class defenders like they are just ordinary players..and I’m talking world high class International players..he beats them like a walk in a park..👏👏👍

[@timociqiolevu7724]

For real....he makes it look so easy... and then just walks back casually after scoring like he didn't just blitz through half the defense

[@amagyeibusumru-banson7864]

Well said - that sums him up

[@FrancisDietPodcast]

Never saw Lomu then?

[@shadydisco]

I don’t think too many realized at the time just what a golden era of outside backs we were getting to watch in the first ten years of Pro Rugby in NZ. Rupeni, Cullen, Lomu, Wilson, Umaga, Vidiri, Rokococo and Howlett are all time Super Rugby greats, but even guys like Roger Randle, Marika Vunibaka, Lome Fa'atau, Norm Berryman, Glen Osborne and Bruce Reihana were awesome to watch too! Yet somehow Caleb Ralph still got tests for the ABs 🤷🏻‍♂️😂 I know the defenses have changed and there are still some great young wingers going around now, but we'll be in for a hell of treat if we ever get a better generation of open field ball runners than we saw from 95 - 05!!

[@shadydisco]

You can throw young versions of Mils, Nonu and Rico Gear into that window too... probably forgetting a few more gems

[@MrRastavale]

Agreee

[@MarkWhippy]

Caleb Ralph got tests because there was a shortage of good wingers available for NZ. Every Super Rugby team had Fijian or Samoan capped wingers. Caucau, Sivivatu who was ineligible because he played for Fiji U18, Faatau, Bobo, Vunibaka, Tuilevu and Rabeni. I felt Super Rugby was less exciting when NZ changed the rules on overseas players.

[@shadydisco]

@@MarkWhippy Yeah, that's fair. Vaguely remember Delasua having a stint at the Crusaders too. Even less remembered guys like Alex Telea from Wellington were Manu Samoa reps... It was exciting to watch though eh! Mean jokes aside, Ralph was a consistent performer for Canterbury, and much worse players have definitely had tests. It's mainly just disappointing when the All Black wingers aren't game breakers. Recent form aside, Bridge has been a solid enough player, but it's a lot more fun to watch with Reiko and Jordan on the flanks! I fear for him that kids now will be citing his name the same way I did Ralph in 20 years time haha

[@amk3742]

If you're going to 05 you better dare not leave out my chiefs guy Sitiveni sivivatu hehe he was magic

[@rickyatkinson2028]

Unbelievable to see these absolute gold clips of the legend in his days playing for the mighty NORTHLAND💙💙💙💙💙

[@timfrost08]

What incredible footage! I've wanted for years and years to see more of this man. What a blessing. Thank you.

[@edgewizz862]

Imagine Jonah on one wing and Caucau on the other...daaamn that would've been a nightmare of a combo.

[@jeoffrym5860]

I remeber watching this fella, as a young bloke and thought 'wtf' give the ball to him esp for the blues, i watched him as well against the crusaders. Legend

[@isikelitalala]

Sensational Player.... Definitely one of the best wingers in the world

[@diulikadikaday]

Caucau was like the Ronaldinho of Rugby. Not the most professional, but an entertainment scoring machine who was unplayable in his prime. One of the brightest talents I’ve ever seen in 30 years of watching rugby.

[@rorynesta7766]

More like the brazilian legend of Romario who won the soccer world cup,both these buggers hated training but turned up 100% on game day.

[@diulikadikaday]

@@rorynesta7766 dude...that is a good comparison! Ronaldinho was more of an international, eternal icon, so doesn't really fit with Caucau's profile. And Romario is more comparable as a "If you know, you know" type player.

[@MarkWhippy]

More like Ronaldo. One of the most talented ever, but also had problems with fitness and other issues.

[@jakobrobinson8451]

Thanks for this! Been searching for his NPC highlights for years

[@MarkWhippy]

Lol thought I was the only one. This isn’t all of them though. Only his ones from 2001.

[@gene.digger]

When this man was fit, he was the best winger in the world. Hell even in the 2003 RWC, he was semi fit, he was still the best winger in the world.

[@lionelanderson2368]

Ball in hand, up there with the best, if not THE best. A good example of why players need good managers. He should be more well known.

[@mrwaltermathews]

Now we just need to find the lost 7s tapes.

[@northwolf4198]

I've never seen anyone run like Caucau! The way he absolutely BOUND down the pitch was inhuman

[@edrobin5569]

You were a special player Rupeni back in the day

[@Zeylah]

My number 1 winger this guy was is a LEGEND ! Pure speed and talent 🙌🏾👏💯

[@donaldcrump9562]

He was an amazing sight to see with Ball in hand ... 1 of northlands favorite sons

[@Nellyspence]

Some videos I hadn't seen - thanks for the upload. What a talent he was!

[@melikimua]

Simply amazing to watch…..raw speed and talent at its best

[@jzkramer]

The best winger I've ever seen bar no one.

[@niuanconquistador422]

The most talented and natural winger to ever grace the game.......

[@lenbkula]

Everywhere I go and play rugby, people know this guy. He is the standard for any running attacker. Balance, speed, footwork, flexibility, and he did the basics really well. He was also very calm and played very smart rugby. Knew when to pass and when to bolt it. He'd make it into any current international team if he was in his prime now. His level then is still relevant and sought after today (almost 20 years ago now). I'd say he's an all time great.

[@maxcassidy4527]

RC was a freak that comes along in rugby once in a while. if the great Irish O'Driscol can rate this guy that he has never played with or against - then it must mean something..

[@TrueFilter]

Woah hold on. He did play against him. I'm pretty sure he came from nowhere to knock a ball out of BOD's hands as he was about to score. Whilst looking like a prop playjng for Agen.

[@maxcassidy4527]

@@TrueFilter maybe? but the question put to him was - rate a player you have never played with or against

[@kaeso101]

Even with the way his career turn out Caucau us still considered to be the greatest Fijian winger...i can only imagine how things could have been if he was more disciplined and committed

[@deeelandiseactive3920]

I worked with a guy about 12yrs back said he was on the blues squad trying to secure a wing contract, at the time he was beating most of the other backs so he thought he would be picking up a decent contract soon. Then this Fijian suddenly turned up and just made him look silly with speed, said he didn't even see get to 100% top speed always seemed to look like he was just half speed. From there he knew his chance was pretty much gone, I think that run down of Fero's kick is the closest thing we'll see to caucau at full tilt. My absolute no. 1 choice and he should be most people's too, because they were going to pick him over Jonah had he been eligible I remember reading an article about him before the 03 world cup stating how special he was like that.

[@deeelandiseactive3920]

I say that with respect to Lomu as one of the greats but yeah I remember vividly them saying that at the time I think Jonah was trying to return or something and the article stated how you can't deny this guy that 11 jersey if the choice came down to between the two of them.

[@notking6149]

Thanks for the interesting story mate

[@deeelandiseactive3920]

@@notking6149 welcome champ

[@MarkWhippy]

Lomu wasn’t playing well at the time. Now we know it’s because of his health problems.

[@theo9436]

I'm still saddened that this guy never truely reached the heights his talent promised.

[@draoosi]

Same bro, for most players who have reached Super Rugby, World Cup, French Top 14 levels, we would all agree that they've reached their potential but for some reason Caucau who also achieved these levels still left a void in most of us. He was truly special. Definitely puts a smile to my face whenever I watch his highlights

[@whitefire06]

@@draoosi I think it was because we never got to see him compete in tier 1 internationals. We didn't get to see him stamp his mark against the best teams in the world. If he was eligible to play for NZ, his legacy may have been as epic as Jonah.

[@peacepeace01]

He's still considered the Best from people around the world even after all he's been through, I'd say he did enough for people to know

[@nikeeddie9430]

@@whitefire06 . Only top players in the world recognised him. Not people who play bush rugby.

[@jldp24]

He did achieve his full potential..should have played more super rugby

[@leeyo9433]

The reason is the dude was just gifted end of story the only man that never fit but fck everyone up the only player who makes every other super star in the sport shaken

[@mataicakau237]

The only player to have scored a hetric of individual tries against Crusaders! Running around star players on auto cruise.

[@paulmihaere8270]

Running around the south island All Blacks , and there was a few of them back then and another Fijian flyer in the great Vunibaka

[@lealavaamalo4836]

Rubeni was an INCREDIBLE and GIFTED player that probably did not get the support he needed to really exploit his talents to its fullest potential.

[@hocake8242]

He was phenomenal. Speed and strength

[@siveti15]

At 5:55 Caucau was still back paddling when Fero kicked. And he went on to beat those 2. Daaaamn

[@silentkvt666]

In France he was like 130kg still smoking slim wingers. Legends says he hates training and drink kava till 4am and play that very day scoring tries.

[@timociqiolevu7724]

😂

[@laboonta601]

After Jonah, Rupeni was a just behind in a close 2nd. Rupeni would have made every team if rules were flexed. Just an awe to watch

[@joshnaimasi4903]

Thanks for the upload...looking forward for some more of rupenis tries....

[@AreLL]

The greatest winger ever.

[@aperaruapeeta4309]

The way he scored tries was amazing beating defenders left right center and all around radradra very similar

[@margiebkeith8583]

Wow!! never thought i would see these rear footage.. great job!! .. hope to see more

[@JohnWaqa-o9e]

The best winger that took Rugby by storm,till today l have never seen another winger like him,who has all the talents a winger needed..

[@hannotn]

Interesting that he never looks elated after scoring a try, like he doesn't even want to be there. Given all the problems he had throughout his career, with no shows and being a poor trainer, it seems like he really didn't want to be there.... saw a program on him once where he said he was homesick all the time and just drank himself out of a career and had given away all his money.

[@samuelataraivalu1959]

His strike rate is unmatched..

[@sting1077]

5:58 Caucau flew past Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina... Insane speed

[@babyjay9434]

Bruh and I thought Howlett was fast - He zoomed right past them.

[@tamanimaiesia5344]

And those two were no slouch.

[@jackfry]

I could watch this for hours please show more

[@skeme1213]

Absolutely legendary status.

[@jackfry]

This guy made me love rugby 🫶

[@samuelkristensen6685]

Thanks for all these Northland clips!

[@samuelkristensen6685]

Great to be able to see this footage of Caucau

[@jefffiji624]

Oooooh this is beautiful!!! What a find. I thought this old footage was gone. Awesome work. Give it to rupeni and he is go go gone…

[@darthmong7196]

Thing is, it was painfully obvious that he didn't really want to be there. He was just earning money to feed his family. What he could've been if he'd embraced professionalism.

[@billtukana5916]

Respect to all other comments but tis was it, "...was just earning money to feed his family.." Many thanks & be blessed Rupeni. GB

[@robroy408]

Best winger of all time hands down

[@MarkWhippy]

6:58 now that clearance kick from Ai’i makes more sense, the clock was wrong there was still time to play.

[@django4427]

6:01 He just burned Allblacks Doug Howlett & Mils Muliaina for a clutch try 😮 Had the ABs picked him up, who knows maybe as great if not better than the Legend Jonah Lomu.

[@robroy8634]

He’s always best to me ❤️❤️❤️

[@skotpenfold8392]

He was so good!! I’m a Cantabrian but would watch Northlands games just for Rupeni, and then would hope he was sick whenever we played the Blues coz he was a match winner and twice carried the Blues past the Crusaders. When he played for Fiji he was equally electric. My fav ever rugby player - wish he played league!!

[@billroks313]

Wow that kick n chase made Mils ordinary.Dont get me wrong Mil the man

[@Lokz99]

Rubeni was unmatched absolutely freak.

[@yessirrr5182]

That last try inspired me back in the day to get fit and fast

[@lebowski_dude]

Caucua on one wing, Lomu on the other. Any better combos?

[@tiigalilly5320]

Man O Man What a man Blistering speed power balance Funny though sometimes it looked like he was strolling to the try line and yet you see all the chasers falling over trying to get him🤣🤣

[@livisornedelcu9631]

Such a shame this special talent never embraced professional approach to rugby. Easily most gifted winger having had in arsenal everything, power, speed, acceleration, balance, vision. Had he trained hard would have been contender for GOAT. Fan all blacks and rugby generally!

[@fiji82bad]

Along with perhaps Jonah Lomu, Rupeni had potentially the best genetics and raw talent ever to Grace a rugby field. At his best I don’t think there was a defender that could handle him one-on-one anywhere in the world.

[@npd6225]

If Rupeni and Lomu aren’t your all time greatest wings you know nothing about rugby.

[@getridofneocons]

habana and carel du plessis better

[@npd6225]

@@getridofneocons Exibit A

[@mikezog1030]

@@npd6225 Look Rupeni can run, but can he defend and handle high balls. I think Habana is at least a contender against Rupeni.

[@Nyasalands_Finest]

@@mikezog1030 exhibit B

[@mikezog1030]

@@Nyasalands_Finest LOL I have forgotten more about rugby than you will ever know...

[@lahkeyroo6096]

his 2003 season w/ the Blues. 😤💯💯💯

[@pathfinder5651]

Blues was well known because of this talent

[@TrueFilter]

Love how they are calling him a little fellow. Not for much longer.

[@davidtaliai996]

Greatest attacking player i've ever seen.

[@Irongaint]

Pffft you fijians are too biased 😂😂

[@sercirokovatuniulelekitoga7931]

@@Irongaint no rugby🤣🤣

[@AhTu1306]

I'd watch this all day.

[@leeyo9433]

EVERY RUBGY STAR FROM AROUND THE WORLD KNOW WASSUP WHEN FACING THIS MAN .

[@licysydney5939]

To be honest for a winger caving through defence side ways incredible to watch playing against top opposition

[@debaterofeverythingpresent2775]

The clarity, thanks.

[@williambaglme819]

He is in my top 3 outside backs..Fijian wingers are something else

[@3xTuesday]

Northland v Auckland, the amount of speed on display

[@jekopeveikoso5208]

One of the best winger in Rugby

[@danesmith8913]

Bro is the greatest wing ever