Another four-try haul for flying Fijian

By WYNNE GRAY

Set the Blues against an Australian Super 12 side and wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca will scorch in for a remarkable four tries.

The Fijian flyer had a four-try haul against the Waratahs and repeated a quartet of touchdowns last night as the Blues defeated the Reds 60-26 in their final trial match.

Caucaunibuca's latest foursome was more spectacular as he played only the second half and stood up star Wallaby backs Chris Latham and Ben Tune for three of his touchdowns.

No 8 Ron Cribb chimed in with a marvellous try through a 50m run, grubber and regather and Doug Howlett forced another after a great 90m chase. But it was Caucaunibuca's speed and skills which upstaged those feats for the appreciative but small crowd who watched in warm conditions at Albany.

One of the tries was sublime.

A Reds attacking move broke down and Caucaunibuca grabbed the ball with what appeared to be a suction cap rather than his hand, motored away at top speed and burned Latham on the outside.

The Fijian's spectacular trial form already has many asking whether he could push through to the All Blacks but apparently he is ineligible because he played sevens for Fiji last season.

The Blues showed a strong structure last night with their setpiece work, support play and organisation all solid, in what will be another boost in their quest for Super 12 redemption.

After a slow start, the Blues showed glimpses of the style which made them such feared opponents in the early years of Super 12.

They controlled the lineouts with Glenn Taylor, Vula Maimuri and Troy Flavell. They also had the edge in the scrums with the powerful front row of Tony Woodcock, Slade McFarland and Kees Meeuws.

There were some flaws in defence and wrong options but there looked to be a greater cohesion about the Blues than in the last few seasons.

Blues 60 (R. Caucaunibuca 4, T. Flavell, M. Parkinson, R. Cribb, M. Muliaina, R. Gear, tries; C. Spencer 5 con, pen, J. Arlidge con) Reds 26 (B. Tune, M. Connors, C. Latham, J. Rauluni, tries; E. Flatley con, A. Scotney 2 con.) Ht: 22-12.