The fascinating yet mysteriously reclusive rugby genius that is Rupeni Caucaunibuca will not be gracing the last international at Lansdowne Road as the Fijian winger has produced his usual disappearing act.
Caucaunibuca (or just plain Caucau) was at times majestic in Saturday's 34-22 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield, scoring one try and creating another before being replaced. A press release from the touring party stated due to "personal reasons" Caucau has returned to French club Agen.
Incidentally, Agen are struggling domestically but have had an excellent start in Pool Two of the Heineken European Cup. They play back-to-back fixtures against Leinster next month so Caucau should make it to Lansdowne Road after all.
It's a shame for Irish rugby fans as Caucau is one of the game's true superstars but is equally no stranger to controversy having been suspended for 12 months by the Fijian rugby union for failing to turn up for international duty, while he was late returning back for pre-season training in France recently because of illness. He also missed the game against Wales two weeks ago citing a lost passport.
The Islanders have been haemorrhaging players since the weekend with former captain Semo Sititi returning to his club in Japan, again, for "personal reasons" and Isoa Domolailai returning to his club Toulon because of a recurring back complaint.
It gets worse for Pat Lam's makeshift squad, who have undergone consecutive beatings at the hands of Wales (38-20) and Scotland, as Viliami Vaki is facing a disciplinary panel tomorrow for a bone-crunching late hit that confined Scottish scrumhalf Chris Cusiter to a hospital bed.
Cusiter is looking at a three-month recovery process for a damaged shoulder.
The Islanders arrived in Dublin yesterday but their initial training plans have been disrupted by the unplayable conditions of Wanderers RFC.
While an alternative venue was being sourced last night, the squad used Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club along Appian Way for a light work-out.
"I am so disappointed with how we started (against Scotland)," said Lam. "We were 30 points down before we began to make an impression."
The team has conceded 62 points in the opening 40 minutes of the matches against Wales and Scotland as opposed to only 10 points after half-time.
A European Cup winner with Northampton in 2000, Lam had less than a week of preparation to combine the styles of three nations (Tonga, Samoa and Fiji). He noted that players are reverting to what they know best - Sevens rugby - and not what is implemented in training.
"When we don't do what we train we look average. At half-time we spoke about playing super rugby. The boys did just that. But at the end of the day we can't give sides a start like that."
Lam, who is also the current Auckland Blues coach, sees this tour as a stepping-stone to eventual acceptance into an expanded Tri Nations with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
"That would be a terrific idea and if we had more time with these players and a greater opportunity to bring continuity to the party, I am sure that results and their displays would improve significantly."
A team will be selected on Thursday but, unfortunately, no Caucau.
