Fiji punishes Caucau for no-shows

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has handed errant wing, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, a 12-month ban from Test rugby for failing to join the national team for its matches in June and July.

Caucau: As elusive in life as he is on the pitch

The Agen star failed to present himself at training prior to Fiji's match against New Zealand Maori in June, telling Fiji coach Wayne Pivac - at the eleventh hour - that he had to return to his village in Bua to fulfil "customary duties".

The 25-year-old then missed Fiji's Rugby World Cup qualifier against Samoa, turning turtle at Nadi International Airport in order to attend to his wife's toothache.

Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua, acting FRU boss, said the ban showed that no player was above the law or indispensable.

Caucaunibuca is now unavailable for Fiji's year-end tour of Europe and the Pacific Tri-Nations championship in 2006, but the ban will not prevent him playing club rugby for Agen.

Caucau's wayward approach to training and national service has a long history. Just prior to RWC 2003 he went absent without leave, prompting anxious Fijian officials to launch a man-hunt for their star player.

Caucau was eventually tracked down in Navakasiga, a village on the west coast of Vanua Levu, an area with limited roads and only contactable occasionally by radio telephone.