Bua bullet sets sights offshore

Rupeni Caucaunibuca cannot be more clearer: he's using this year's ITM Cup campaign with Northland as a springboard to attract overseas offers.

Dubbed the "Bua bullet", the once renegade Fijian and Auckland Blues winger who terrorised the opposition during his prime a decade ago is ruling out another tilt at Super Rugby.

In an exclusive interview with the Northern Advocate after being lured back to New Zealand in February, he spoke candidly about his future as well as troubled past that saw him being tested positive for cannabis, suspension from French club Agen in 2010 for failing to return for pre-season training and his punch-up with former Les Bleus flanker Olivier Magne during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

At 33, Caucau admits age is fast catching up and that he's keen to spend the next few years playing overseas.

But for now, Caucau has promised to set the stage alight when the ITM Cup kicks off next month.

"For me, I am not here to play Super Rugby but to give my best for Northland this year and then to look for a big contract overseas because I don't know how long I can go," he said.

He claims agents from two clubs in Japan and France contacted him a few weeks ago but he's keen to see out his one-year contract with the Taniwha.

Since Awanui coach Glen Subritzky brought Caucau back to Northland, he has played for the club in its weekly competition and is working on his fitness and weight in earnest for the ITM Cup season.

"My main focus is to get fit and I am aiming for that first game [Ranfurly Shield] against Waikato ... hopefully we do well with the new boys in the team."

He once weighed in at a massive 120kg while recuperating from knee surgery but is working to trim back from the current 107kg to 105kg in time for the ITM Cup.

"After the [knee] operation, I was back in my village eating root crops, no running ... I basically did nothing for a year and it's very hard when you're in that state.

"But it feels good back playing in Awanui, starting with 20 minutes in the first game, then 40 and I am now playing the full game. My knee's also holding up well."

This time around, he doesn't care where he plays - wing, centre or second-five - but his favourite is wing.

A slight change in his style of play will see Caucau crashing into tackles rather than beating his markers out wide with deft footwork and lightning speed as before.

Caucau reckons he's a changed man and has called on fans to judge his on and off-field behaviour this year to spot the difference in his attitude.

"I don't want to bring back my past. No fighting, no swearing and things like that. I regret some of the things I did in the past.

"That time I used to spend my money on drinking but if I'd known that it would lead to nothing, I wouldn't have gone ahead but I can't undo what's already been done."

He dropped another bombshell by declaring his availability to play for Fiji - three years after he announced he would never play for his country of birth as he was fed up with the treatment he received from rugby bosses and local fans.