Sinu Blue coach plans ahead before season starts

The Sinu Blue women’s rugby team is using the Central Women’s competition to prepare for the upcoming Marama Championship.

Sinu Blue thrashed the QVSOB women’s team 40-17 during their Central Women’s play-off match at Veiuto Primary School grounds in Suva last Saturday.

Head coach Tomasi Katonivualiku told SUNsports the win was part of the side’s wider development plan ahead of the Marama competition.

“It’s part of our development plan in terms of building our pool of players within the senior women’s team,” he said.

Katonivualiku said the past three weeks had been productive and provided the players with valuable game time.

He said the team was aiming to improve its performance this season.

“Most of our Nasinu women’s rugby players are part of the Fijiana sevens programme, the Fijian Drua women’s team, while some have secured overseas contracts,” he said.

“This gives us a good opportunity to bring new players into the system.

“We are working on their skills and basics while also filling the gaps left by players who have moved on.”

Katonivualiku said many of the players were secondary school students.

“This is a good testing ground for them because they also compete in the Raluve competition for their respective schools,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the Premier final, NoaLolo Combine defeated the Police Blue women’s team 21-10.