Star winger Rupeni Caucau today showed he has a lot to do to regain his lost form despite scoring a try for Tailevu in his first match after a long lay off.

Caucau was obviously the main attraction at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori when Tailevu took on Navosa in the sixth round of the Digicel Cup competition.

The crowd, including those on rooftops and treetops and those peering through the cracks in the fence, cheered whenever the ball came his way and jeered when it did not reach his hands.

However, with the few balls he did receive the former Auckland Blues sensation lacked the confidence and fitness to take on the opposition.

Instead he opted to kick over the top of his opponent and didn’t quite have the pace to re-gather ahead of the second line of defence.

For a player renowned for his balance and acceleration, Caucau continuously stumbled and lacked the leg drive to dispose off his tacklers.

This was to be expected after spending the last few months in his village in Bua, Vanua Levu where he has been since unceremoniously ending his contract with his Agen Club in France.

Now Caucau has been offered a lifeline by fellow Fijian winger Sireli Bobo who has been given an assignment by his Metro Club bosses to hunt down Caucau and lure him to the French club.

The Tailevu stint was supposed to be a warm up for Caucau as part of his preparations before returning to professional football.

Caucau declined to comment on his performance.

He did most of his talking on the field, literally, directing traffic and organising the young Tailevu backline, which included players being eyed by national selectors.

Caucau’s try in the right corner was handed to him on a platter by Fiji schoolboys’ fullback Iliesa Keresoni, who will soon join his brother Kameli Ratuvou at the England-based Saracens club.

Keresoni scored a quick brace in the dying minutes of the match, after Caucau was replaced, to secure Tailevu the 32-25 win and earn himself the Man-of-the-match honours.

Fijilive

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