Fijian wing sensation Rupeni Caucaunibuca could be heading to South Africa to play for the Cape Town-based Stormers and Western Province. Negotiations to secure the services of one of the most lethal finishers of the modern game are at an advanced stage.
According to Johannesburg-based player agent Greg Tinkler of Sterling Sport, Caucaunibuca's Fijian agent approached his company to explore options of playing in South Africa. "Rupeni is arguably the greatest talent of the last decade and he is awesome to watch, so I am excited at the possibility of him playing in South Africa."
Western Province MD Rob Wagner confirmed that the franchise is talking to the Fijian but could not disclose when he was expected in the country.
Tinkler disclosed that Caucaunibuca is currently in Fiji playing for a local club called Tailevu in their Digicel Cup and is reported to be in fine form after months of injury recovery following his release from French club Agen in February. He had been playing in France since 2005, where he received numerous accolades including the 2006 French Player of the Year honour as well as top try-scorer's awards in 2005 and 2006.
Caucau, as he is commonly known, first made headlines playing for the Auckland Blues of New Zealand in the then Super 12, but catapulted into stardom against France at the 2003 World Cup when he scored one of the finest individual tries ever seen, running from his own 22 and showing prodigious pace, power and evasive skills to dot down under the poles
The flamboyant 28-year-old Caucau has been described by opposition such as England centre Mike Tindall as "the best player I have ever played against" and Scotland's Chris Paterson said of him that "when he is fit he can be the world's best player" and that "he is the type that can win a game almost on his own".
The Stormers already have the services of another Fijian winger in Sireli Naqelevuki and, together with Caucau, they are sure to terrorise opposition defences.
Tinkler intimated that he had more international big-name signings on the cards to play in South Africa.[/b]
