Ravulo believes Kanawabu has returned from the national age-grade environment with valuable knowledge that has benefited the entire Navatu squad.
“He has shared his knowledge and experience with his fellow Northern brothers on what he went through in the rugby pathway,” Ravulo said.
“It has really boosted the team and inspired many to follow in his footsteps.”
For Ravulo, Kanawabu’s journey carries a message beyond Navatu.
It shows young players from the North that despite the challenges and limited opportunities they may face, they can still break into Fiji’s national age-grade teams.
Kanawabu, meanwhile, remains grateful for the opportunity to return to the Northern schools rugby scene with Navatu and be part of a team that has rewritten the school’s history.
“I am grateful for the opportunity coach Ravulo gave me to play at Navatu Secondary School,” Kanawabu said.
“It has enabled me to be part of the historic rise of the school in the competition.”
Now the captain has one final challenge this season.
Navatu faces Lelean Memorial School in the Vodafone Super Deans U19 final at the HFC Bank National Stadium in Suva this Saturday.
Kanawabu said the team must remain grounded despite reaching a historic final.
“We will remain humble and work on our mistakes from the semi-final,” he said.
“We will come back with the same attitude and mindset against Lelean.”
After the Super Deans, Kanawabu hopes to return to his island team, Taveuni, for the Skipper Cup campaign.
Beyond that lies an even bigger ambition — to make a career out of rugby.
For now, however, his focus is on Navatu and the final.
From Holy Cross College to Bucalevu, from the Fiji Schoolboys U18 team to Navatu, Kanawabu’s journey has already taken him a long way.
One final step remains.
