Rugby: Winger on missing list after extra time off

Rupeni Caucaunibuca. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It happens every year - rugby's equivalent of 'Where's Wally?' Only this is 'Where's Rupeni?'

The brilliant but difficult winger, Rupeni Caucaunibuca who so entertained New Zealand crowds a few years back was supposed to have turned up for training at French club Agen - who have a big year ahead of them after earning their way out of the second division and into France's Top 14 competition.

But, as has happened before, he didn't show. No one, apparently, knows where he is.

Rupeni, one of the most prodigious talents ever to come out of the Pacific Islands, has earned a reputation for going AWOL and Agen have been left puzzled and wondering again.

The 30-year-old Fijian had been given extra holiday time to return to his Pacific homeland and was expected back on July 12 rather than June 26 like the rest of the squad.

The club had not heard from him and he missed Agen's pre-season training camp in Brommat. He presumably missed the Top 14 newcomers' first friendly match against Narbonne last night.

The last time most clapped eyes on Rupeni was in the test match between Australia and Fiji last month.

The previously athletic winger, capable of blazing speed, trickery and power, turned out at second five-eighths for Fiji as they went down 49-3 to the Wallabies. He cut a very different figure from the old Rupeni. He apparently weighed in at about 120kg, heavier even than Jonah Lomu in his prime.

Part of the reason for his test match appearance may have been that he was looking for a Super 15 spot - first with the Brumbies and, when that didn't work out, with the new Super 15 franchise the Melbourne Rebels.

It is the latter that some think might have kept Rupeni from Agen, but no one has made any announcements - or even hints - that he could be a Rebel.

He'd presumably have to lose some weight and pick up some form. Against the Wallabies last month, Rupeni did not make much of an impact. The Fijian forwards did surprisingly well in the first half. But the match started to slip away from them when the Wallabies started to drive through their forwards, consigning the Fijians to consistent defensive work.

On a rare attack the Fijians looked promising at only 14-3 down but the ball came loose.

Wallaby winger Digby Ioane picked up and side-stepped into the clear, burning off Caucaunibuca - previously one of the fastest men on a rugby field - in a 45m sprint to score.