From the village of Lavena on Taveuni to the biggest stage of Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby, Vilimone Kanawabu’s journey has been shaped by opportunity, hard work and the guidance of a coach who believed in him early.
Now, the Navatu Secondary School under-19 captain and number eight stands on the brink of making more history as his team prepares for the U19 final in the Vodafone Super Deans this Saturday.
Kanawabu joined Navatu Secondary School this year after spending last season at Bucalevu Secondary School.
Prior to Bucalevu, he attended Holy Cross College, with each stage adding another layer to his rugby development.
Last year, while at Bucalevu, Kanawabu earned selection in the Fiji Schoolboys U18 team, an experience that has now become an important part of his leadership at Navatu.
The powerful backrower has emerged as one of Navatu’s standout players in its historic Vodafone Super Deans campaign.
His game is built around physicality and aggression.
He thrives in collisions, enjoys the hard work of clearing and contesting rucks and brings an intensity that has made him a constant presence in the forward pack.
But Kanawabu is not simply a player who relies on brute strength.
His deceptive pace and decent footwork allow him to become a threat in open play, giving Navatu another attacking option when the game breaks up.
For head coach Alipate Ravulo, Kanawabu’s development has been a journey that began long before he arrived at Navatu. Ravulo coached him at club level and took him around the Northern Division to compete in Sevens tournaments, giving the youngster valuable exposure and helping shape his rugby career.
“I have nurtured him from club games and taken him around the Northern Division to play sevens,” Ravulo said.
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.
