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Oceans Apart - Rupeni Caucaunibuca


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In the first episode of the Oceans Apart Series, Dan Leo, Director of the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare organisation, travels to a remote and isolated village in Fiji to speak with one of the most talented and exciting players to grace the field – Rupeni Caucaunibuca.

With no education, and no support mechanisms, Rupeni was ill-equipped to deal with his meteoric rise to stardom. Now retired, Rupeni currently lives in his village with little means of income.

After inspiring and entertaining so many of us through his career, PRPW invites the Rugby Family to help give Rupeni a 2nd chance, to turn his life around, and to give his story the positive ending that it truly deserves.

Pacific Rugby Players Welfare (www.pacificrugbywelfare.com) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with over 400 Pacific Island rugby players worldwide, providing them the support, advice & skills they need to thrive, both during and after their rugby careers.

To help him realise his dream of starting a village business that will support him and his family, PRPW and Rupeni will be working with The Earth Care Agency, a local Fijian company who specialise in setting up organic, sustainable community businesses. You can donate to the cause through their Just Giving Page by clicking here

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Phantom 2 hours ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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