From the tiny remote village of Nasau, Bua, hails one of the greatest rugby players of all time. For all the flyers and finishers that has left the Fiji shores, one name sits above them all, Rupeni Caucaunibuca.

The “Bua Bullet” first was spotted by former Fiji Sevens head coach, the late Rupeni Ravonu. It didn’t take long for Caucau to be named in the Fiji Sevens team for the 2000/2001 Series and despite only playing 5 of the 9 tournaments, he led the team in tries and points by seasons end.

From there it was a quick rise to stardom for the Bua native, he was signed by Northland for the 2001 NPC where he quickly established his attacking prowess and the following year he was on the wing for the Blues for the 2002 Super 12 season.

His finest season came in 2003, a season where he dominated all before him scoring incredible tries, many seemingly impossible. He would help the Blues into the Super Rugby title that season and at the end of the year he would line up for the Flying Fijians at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. 

His performance at the World Cup is part of Rugby folklore now such was his brilliance, in only two games but it was enough for the Rugby world to rave about him. 

His career never really reached the heights everyone had envisioned but Rupeni’s story is now one that every Fijian player can learn from and one that Rugby clubs around the World have and will continue to learn from.

The humble family man now runs a taxi business while the rest of us continue to marvel at his highlights.