The Covenant Blues rugby team secured a hard-fought 20-10 victory over the well-regarded Nabua Maroons at the Buckhurst Ground in Suva yesterday during round three of the Suva Rugby Escort Shield competition.
The win was all the more impressive given a challenging week of preparation, disrupted by cyclone warnings that unsettled their training schedule.
Head coach Koroi Kolinisau, who carries the legacy of his younger brother Osea Kolinisau — the former Fiji sevens captain and current national sevens coach — spoke openly about the team’s performance and future ambitions.
“We are grateful for the win, especially considering the difficulties we faced this week. Many of our players are new to this level, so to come away with a victory against a team like Nabua is very encouraging,” he said.
Founded in 2002, the Covenant Brothers Rugby Club Ministry uses rugby as a platform to develop character and provide young players with opportunities to avoid negative influences, such as drug abuse.
“Our purpose is to utilise the talents God has given these boys, helping them build character and find opportunities both locally and abroad,” Kolinisau said.
Despite the triumph, Kolinisau acknowledged areas requiring improvement ahead of their next match.
“Two key areas we need to focus on are communication and board combination within our structured pattern of play. Our boys tend to play open, typical Fijian rugby, but we are working towards a more disciplined, structured approach,” he noted.
The Covenant Blues are particularly intent on strengthening specialist positions such as hooker, tight end, and half-deck, especially with some experienced players having moved overseas.
“Our young players, some as young as 18 or 19, are showing great promise, particularly in tight-end scrummaging, which helped secure a penalty try in this game,” Kolinisau said.
Looking ahead, the team remains committed to continuous improvement, building on the solid foundation laid by the club’s rich heritage.
The Covenant Blues’ victory, coupled with their mission to use rugby as a tool for positive change, underscores the club’s vital role in the community and the bright future of its young players.
