'It's too late, I've already spent it all, for nothing' - The rapid rise of Rupeni and the trappings of professionalism for a boy from the village
One of rugby’s early global superstars, Rupeni Caucaunibuca has opened up about his heartbreaking journey through professional rugby, which took him from a remote Fiji village to the bright lights of Eden Park within a year before leaving him bankrupt and back in his village after a career in France.
In a short documentary Oceans Apart narrated by Dan Leo of the Pacific Rugby Players’ Welfare organisation, the story of Rupeni’s rapid rise at the dawn of professionalism rugby highlights the pitfalls for Pacific players who make it big overseas but aren’t equipped or necessarily have the support to deal with the change and the expectations put on them.
When he arrived in New Zealand he did not speak a word of English.
“No-one taught me when I started.
“Straight from my village, I ended up a big rugby star. In one year, from my village to Suva, Suva to the Fiji team, and then New Zealand, in one year. No-one taught me to do this or do that.
The contrast of village life to the demands of life as a professional player, in addition to adjusting to cultural differences, can be an overwhelming change for a person. Life in the village is about communal living, with only the basics but without the stresses that come with a life in the city.
“Because I grew up in the village. In school, I didn’t like school. I used to run away. Because I know I’m not good at school, I’m only good at rugby.
“But in the village, when you don’t have money, you can still live. You can borrow from your neighbours, everything too is there, you don’t need to buy anything. You just plant and farm. Fishing, you don’t need to buy, you just go diving.
Rupeni’s talent was undeniable as he shocked audiences with dazzling runs for Northland, before signing a contract with the Blues.
After a breakout Super Rugby season in 2003 and a World Cup campaign with Fiji made him a household name, Caucaunibuca moved to France to take up a contract with Agen in 2004.
During his stint in France, he struggled to adapt to the culture where he was forced to speak French and a number of unexplained absences put him at odds with the club which lead to a contract termination in 2010.
“My life is always like that. It’s normal for me. But for a professional, it’s no good,” he says of his absences which involved trips back home.
Visits back to his family in the village would take three-days of travel, being in a remote part of Fiji. The village is 15km from the main road alone, making contact with the outside world a near impossibility. Trips back to his family pulled at the heartstrings and often resulted in returning back to France late.
“You know living in the village with your friends, your relatives, it sometimes made me… I didn’t want to go back.
Looking back now, he wishes he had handled things differently, describing his behaviour as ‘wrong’.
“When I stand on the other side, this side, and look at myself, I think it’s wrong. I’m running around, hiding from these guys, hiding from the club, and that is not good. I am not allowed to do that.
He says his paychecks in France gave him $1,000 per day but he says he used it for ‘nothing’.
“But I just used it for nothing. I spent it on drinking and helping people.
“I regret it. I should have kept a few hundred thousand for after rugby. But it’s too late, I’ve already spent it all, for nothing.
Rupeni hopes the next generation will learn from his experiences and if they want to have a good life after rugby, have to be more responsible with the money. He hopes that the older Pacific players that have been through it will talk to the younger players, not leaving it to ‘middle men’.
With around 20% of the professional playing ranks made up of Pacific Islanders, Pacific Rugby Players’ Welfare is calling for more from governing bodies to take their welfare seriously to ensure a better future for their families.
Watch the full documentary below and find out more information from PRPW here.
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments