One of rugby's true legends, Rupeni Caucaunibuca is now back on his feet after receiving help from the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare Organisation which received donations from hundreds of people across the world.
More than $20,000 in donations was raised and it helped the not-for-profit organisation set up a taxi business for the former Flying Fijian who currently lives in his village with little means of income.
A big thank you to everyone who donated & helped us get one of the game’s true legends back on his feet! #Caucau #OceansApartFilm #BuaBullet https://t.co/ikZ3Jag0WY
— PacificRugbyWelfare (@pacificwelfare) October 21, 2019
Pacific Rugby Players Welfare is a not-for-profit organisation that works with over 400 Pacific Island rugby players worldwide, providing them the support, advice, and skills they need to thrive, both during and after their rugby careers.
The Director of the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare Organisation and former Samoa rugby international, Daniel Leo was in Fiji helping Caucaunibuca set up his taxi business.
Leo and Caucaunibuca played together for the Pacific Islanders in 2006.
Leo said on Twitter that Caucaunibuca is based out of his village in Nasau, Bua but the idea is that he will work in Labasa a few days a week.
Awesome to be in Fiji, helping set up a taxi business for the Man know as the “Bua Bullet”, @fijirugby’s Rupeni Caucaunibuca. Now back to the rain & cold in England 😩@pacificwelfare pic.twitter.com/SzpeLuOQ09
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) October 21, 2019
Earlier this year, Leo set up a crowdfunding initiative and called on the Rugby Family to help give Caucaunibuca a second chance to turn his life around and to give his story the positive ending that it truly deserves.
Caucaunibuca moved back to his village after retiring in 2014.
He said in a Pacific Rugby Players Welfare Organisation film in May this year that he had lost most of the money he earned throughout his rugby career.
He also played for the Flying Fijians from 2003 to 2010, scoring some memorable tries at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The 39-year-old played for Northland in the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand and the Blues in the Super Rugby competition.
Caucaunibuca was one of the stars of the Blues team when they won the 2003 Super Rugby title.
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