Flying Fijian Has His Wings Clipped
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday March 31, 2004
Super 12 fans may have seen the last of Rupeni Caucaunibuca , the prolific winger rated as one of the world's best players.
Caucaunibuca will miss Sunday's clash with NSW at Eden Park and the remainder of the Super 12 season with a shoulder injury expected to keep him sidelined for up to six months.
The injury has once again shown the Fijian flyer to be as fragile as he is brilliant, with the ligament damage that requires surgery next week joining an increasingly lengthy list of problems.
Leg fractures caused the 23 -year-old to miss the bulk of his debut 2002 season and the end of the 2003 competition, and a move overseas may now beckon.
Caucaunibuca's earning capacity in New Zealand is limited, as he is still ineligible for the All Blacks, and European clubs are offering far more attractive contracts to lure him north when his Auckland contract expires at the end of this season.
The Queensland Reds have winger problems of their own, with Wendell Sailor (hamstring) ruled out of their do-or-die clash with the Hurricanes on Saturday .
Junior Pelesasa (knee) is still in doubt, but the centre will travel, while back-rower Daniel Heenan (shoulder), fullback Chris Latham (hamstring) and winger Peter Hynes (chest) should play.
Hurricanes captain Tana Umaga is also likely to return from a knee injury.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald