Fijians cry foul over Caucaunibuca

By WYNNE GRAY

Fiji believes star wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca has been warned off hitching his rising rugby reputation to the Pacific Islands.

They claim he had an appointment yesterday to discuss his rugby career but mysteriously failed to appear after attending an earlier Blues training.

The Herald was unable to contact Blues coach Peter Sloane for any response to the suggestions.

Fiji feel Caucaunibuca is being encouraged to sit out the World Cup with a view to switching to New Zealand if the international eligibility laws are altered.

The wing played sevens for Fiji which disqualifies him from playing for another country unless the International Rugby Board agrees to a new remit.

So incensed are Fiji they intend writing to the New Zealand Rugby Union to complain about the influence being exerted on Caucaunibuca.

"Clearly he is being placed under extreme pressure by those around him and I believe this includes his Super 12 coach," said Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Pio Bosco Tikoisuva.

"I find this most disappointing because if this is true then as an employee of the NZRFU he should not be conducting himself in a manner inconsistent with the IRB regulations.

"We also reached a written agreement with the NZRFU in March regarding Rupeni and what would and would not be considered appropriate conduct with regard to Rupeni.

"The NZRFU agreed in writing they would not do anything to induce Rupeni to reconsider his eligibility."

Tikoisuva's comments follow a chance meeting he and FRU chairman Keni Dakuidreketi had with Caucaunibuca at Eden Park before the Blues game against the Sharks.

"He told me he was under a lot of pressure from his coach to sit out the Rugby World Cup but that he only wanted to play for Fiji," Tikoisuva said. "He told me this in Fijian and in a way that was honest and sincere. I must say what he said and the way he said it in our traditional manner left me with no doubt in my mind."

The chief executive thought people were messing with Caucaunibuca's mind when his heart was telling him differently.

That was emphasised by Caucaunibuca missing his appointment yesterday with Fijian officials, a meeting which came after further newspaper revelations of the impasse and Blues training.

"I can't imagine what that must be doing to his confidence and his game and I think his form in the last three weeks speaks volumes to the danger that his people are putting him in," said Tikoisuva.

Meanwhile Fiji has almost $2 million banked or committed towards compensating their players who miss the NPC in preparing for this year's World Cup.

Those who return home at the end of May are being promised packages of about $45,000 for four months training and playing matches in preparation for the World Cup campaign under coach Mac McCallion.

Fijian officials were in Auckland at the weekend with colleagues from the Pacific Islanders Rugby Alliance to discuss the proposed schedule for the new composite side.

Chief executive Charlie Charters said the plan was to pick a squad in June next year after the annual test matches between Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

"The team would assemble in Auckland with the expectation they play on five weekends from June 26," he said. "We are leaning towards having a tour of one country but that has not yet been confirmed."

The IRB recently approved Pira's birth and said they should begin next year with a series of tests against Sanzar nations or a one-country tour.