Caucau ban could cost Fiji

Fiji’s self-destructive streak has cost them their most potent attacking weapon and many will be wondering if it will ultimately undermine their World Cup campaign.

Winger Rupeni Caucau was banned for two matches for striking French flanker Olivier Magne. It resulted in the Montferrand veteran visiting hospital for precautionary x-rays.

His jaw survived the blow and Fiji coach Mac McCallion is hoping his team can do the same as the ban will not rule the Auckland winger out for the crucial clash with Scotland in Sydney on November 1.

“We have got him for Scotland, which is great,” said McCallion.

“It is better than not having him at all but it is a shame that he has had that two-week ban because he is such an exciting player and this is the showpiece of world rugby.”

The suspension and the publicity surrounding it will have done nothing to ease McCallion’s problems as he tries to rebuild his team’s morale after the 61-18 mauling by France.

Poor discipline has always been a dark shadow stalking the otherwise brilliant Fijian rugby tradition – one only needs to look back to the Commonwealth Games sevens final for evidence. Fiji had two players sin-binned at a crucial moment and were inevitably demolished by New Zealand as a result.

Caucau dominated the news before the tournament after his scintillating form for the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 prompted All Black management to try and snare his services for the World Cup.

Fortunately for Fiji, Caucau’s participation in the 2002 Commonwealth Games sevens for his home country meant his astonishing pace would be on call for McCallion in Australia.

However, Fiji are not all about pace and panache, and they have their fair share of power and bulk – no surprise given McCallion’s determination to introduce the structure and discipline required to compete at the World Cup.

The presence of ‘Big Joe’ Veitayaki in the front row should be enough to make any opponent look twice – the hulking Auckland-based prop weighs an impressive 301 pounds and is the heaviest player at the World Cup.

No surprise that such an intimidating presence has been chosen to lead the traditional ‘Cibi’ war dance before Fijian matches.

The return of lock Ifereimi Rawaqa to the squad’s list of fully-fit players was a huge boost after he suffered a prolapsed disc in training before the tournament. The Lautoka skipper is a key element in McCallion’s forward pack.

However, as Fiji take on the United States and then Japan many thoughts will be on the absence of Caucau and what his impact might be assuming he regains the number 11 jersey against Scotland.

His ability to tear into top-class defences was established during the Super 12 and then re-emphasised three minutes into the second half against France.

As he accelerated and side-stepped past the helpless French defenders he showed what an astonishing talent he possesses, but 21 minutes later he demonstrated his dark side.

“He is only young, he is only 23 years of age so you know, let’s give the guy a break. I feel for him, I do,” said McCallion after the two-match sentence was handed down.

Fiji will be feeling the pain as well, especially if Caucau’s indiscretion is not the last of the team’s disciplinary problems or if his absence proves ultimately lethal for the team’s World Cup campaign.