Brave Blossoms
After defeating the Flying Fijians (34-21), the Tongan Ikale Tahi (41-7), the American Eagles (34-20), and winning the 2019 Pacific Nations Cup, one sensed something special was to follow leading towards the Rugby World Cup. The Brave Blossoms looked faster, sharper and more inventive throughout the Pacific Nations Cup and throughout their Pool A matches in the world cup. A scintillating display of attacking rugby. What an amazing achievement so far. They toppled Russia (30-10), world No 2 ranked Ireland (19-12), Samoa (38-19), and Scotland (28-21) to top Pool A with 19 points, one point from the maximum of 20 points. The Brave Blossoms gave 150 per cent effort, showed resilience, confidence, belief and trust in each other, to make it this far into the 2019 Rugby World Cup. South Africa beckons an enticing quarterfinal for the host nation. Beat the Springbok like they did in 2015 and they face either Wales or France in the semi-finals. Win that match and they will achieve the impossible in hosting the finals with either England, Ireland, Australia, or most likely the mighty All Blacks. They and their passionate 127 million citizens have showed the world that it can be done. Whatever the outcome, the Brave Blossoms are as tough and hearty as they come. Stand up and admire what it takes! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Best team
I take my hat off to the Japanese rugby 15 world cup squad for writing many new chapters in this 2019 Rugby World Cup and yet opted to stay as humble as they can. First, it is the first time in the history of the Rugby World Cup for a tier two team to top their pool by winning all its pool game matches which includes two tier one nations. Second, Japan is the first Asian team to reach the world cup quarter-final stages which has never been achieved in the 40 years history of the Rugby World Cup games. Third, Japan before winning its four world cup pool games had beaten Pacific teams Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup. Yet with all these achievements, the Japanese captain all he said after the Scotland game was that they are happy to reach the quarter-final and when they will play their quarter-final match they will not only represent Japan and Asia but all the tier two nations. One cannot be more humble than this. Congratulations Japan and I wish you well in your next game. Win or lose, you will be for me still the best team in this 2019 Rugby World Cup. Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Best wishes
An exam is not only an assessment of your theoretical knowledge, it is a test of your tranquillity, permanence and fearlessness. It’s a special day for all teachers when their students appear for the national examinations. Year 13 students nationwide will appear for Year 13 Certificate Examination today. Remember students, take matters in your own hands, follow a strict study plan, revise past year external papers, consult your teachers when you are facing challenges and stay confident throughout this journey. Your talents cannot be measured by the exams but your dedication will always be reflected by the marks you will obtain. Hence, best wishes to all Year 13 students. Put your utmost effort while answering the questions and God will surely crown you with success. Salveen Narayan Navua
Handwash day
Global Handwashing Day is observed in many countries around the world on October 15. It was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership for Handwashing to raise public awareness about the importance of handwashing after using a toilet and before every meal. This observance promotes the importance of washing hands with soap. Global Handwashing Day is designed to: Foster and support a global and local culture of handwashing with soap; Shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing around the world; and Raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap. The theme focuses on children and the fact that handwashing helps save their lives in cases of death from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Using soap after toilet cuts the number of deaths among children from diarrhoea by half and from pneumonia by a quarter. This simple measure is even more effective than regular vaccination. I think every day should be dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. Be aware, wash with care. Prevention is better than cure. Neelz Singh Lami
Too short to handle
I refer to the article titled “Too short to handle”. This article has received backlash in The Fiji Times twice. Generally, whether it be men or women, when they show their skin, don’t they get attention from the opposite sex? Even without doing so. Don’t we see male and female models used by organisations to market their products? Do we need to stop this? When models appear on the ramp (both sexes), the audience has both sexes. No eyebrows have been raised. Doesn’t it happen that people choose movies because their favourites are part of the cast? These favourites can turn out to be of the opposite sex. As for the lowering of the eyes by men in the presence of their partner, next time you are out and about in town, try to notice this. The female partners give female gazes to randomly passing males. Even while travelling in vehicles. This is reality and completely normal. Going a step further is not normal. When men lower their eyes or look away (maybe close their eyes), it does not make them the problem. The same goes for women. Doesn’t this show decency? When people fall in the direction of our sight, obviously we will look at them (not stare). Then the reaction which should be morally correct. Dressing is an individual choice. The problem is in the interpretation. For the sake of the suffering victims, this grave issue should not be used for personal mileage. I agree there is simply no excuse for sexual crimes and the blame solely lost on the perpetrators who should receive maximum punishment. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Bravo Japan
“We are unbeaten in pool play! We beat tier one nations — Ireland and Scotland! We finished top of pool A! We are the first Asian team to make the RWC quarters! We play with pride and passion! We are proud to represent our country!” These were uttered by a Japanese fan after Japan stunned the world on Sunday to make the quarters against the Springboks. The quarters look mouth-watering: England vs Australia, NZ vs Ireland, Wales vs France and Japan vs South Africa. Barring any upsets, it’s going to be England vs NZ and Wales vs the Springboks and the final is going to be between the All Blacks and the ‘Boks. As for now, I salute the Brave Blossoms! Bravo Japan bravo! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Fiji’s performance
Though an ardent sevens fan, I decided to watch the Flying Fijians in action after all the hype. Unfortunately the Flying Fijians didn’t make it, though it was said that this was “the best team in the world”. We could have won all the pool games with such a line-up of outstanding and magnificent players. It seems a number of factors contributed to this: 1. Too much self praise before the games as noted also by Ronnie Chang. 2. We seemed to have lost vigour towards the latter part of the game. Is it because of lack of mental toughness as noted by Ben Kush or lack of fitness? I am inclined to both of these possibilities. Other winning teams have used psychologist and we don’t seem to have one. The Kiwis are so good. How come? The lack of fitness seems to be because of insufficient time at the sand dunes. The team has been to the sand dunes maybe once as the media mentioned this once only. Unlike Ben Ryan who had used the dunes regularly. 3. Poor refereeing in the three games robbed us of any chances. This was admitted by WR (World Rugby) themselves. As noted by the esteemable Serevi, the referees tend to pick on the tier two nations. 4. As for the Uruguay game, the wholesale changes seemed strange and the lacklustre performance seemed very unusual for the best team in the world. Was it because of much social activity beforehand or lack of proper diet, poor management supervision, overconfidence or all of the above? Having said all that, it seems that there has been much improvement since they had made the Wallabies and the Dragons run for their money. So the coach is not entirely to be blamed. So keep up the good work and plan for a better outcome come 2023! Norman Yee Mehrotra Place, Martintar, Nadi
Scotland’s typhoon amazing
Looks like Scotland the brave met its own Typhoon Hagibis. Wave after wave of tsunami — like Japanese fury continued to reek havoc in the Yokohama Stadium on Sunday, long after the real one had left the Japanese mainland. The typhoon warning siren must be blowing now for its quarter-final rival, South Africa. Watch out! It will be 2015 all over again. Tier one nations must also be looking in awe and astonishment on how this once easy beat is able to win all its pool matches and with hurricane- like force and to become the first Asian country to reach the quarterfinals. How it was able to hold on and win despite the Scots comeback in the second half, was unbelievable. The rapidness in the development of Japanese rugby over the past two Rugby World Cups is almost akin to the rapid intensification in open seas of Typhoon Hagibis — from a tropical storm to a Category 5 super typhoon — in a record time of just 18 hours. It must be a testament to their dogged resilience, sheer determination, complete dedication and total self-belief along with strategic coaching and resources to boot. Anyway, despite the typhoon losing some of its strength and momentum as it approached the Japanese mainland, I am sure that the Japanese will be hoping that their rising sun will not lose its current momentum and continue to blossom and rise to even greater heights on the rugby field, for many years to come. The warning bell has sounded. They are now are a very formidable foe. Omedetou Japan, congratulations! EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Best wishes
All the best to our Year 13 students as they sit for the Year 13 external examination! Today is the English paper and I’m sure that our students will do their best and come out with flying colours! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Right direction
According to the president of the organisation, Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) is headed in the right direction. Correct if the destination in 2022 is just under 15,000km away. For that to eventuate, I believe Fiji FA needs a new compass. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Missing component
If our Fijian team combined their natural God-given talent and flair for rugby with the kamikaze commitment and unyielding work ethic of the Japanese team, they would be unbeatable. Doe Miller Ritova St, Labasa
Plastic bags
The turtle consumed pieces of plastic bags and was found ashore dead. There are many sea creatures that go through the same thing. Poor innocent creatures who pay because of our mistake? Other plastics are found floating either in drains, creeks or open seas. Until we have a complete ban of plastics, such scenarios will keep popping up. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Cane sweetness
Did our sugar cane lose its sweetness or was it just poor mill management that led to a big loss by FSC? Maybe it’s time to privatise the sugar industry, just like LTA, I am sure FSC will be making huge profits. Imagine if the chief executive officer was living at an FSC quarters, that will be a big saving. It’s time to make some very hard decisions? Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Temper control
Teachers have been advised to control their temper. Mr Bure, everyone knows it is something easier said than done. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Fijiana sevens
Oh dear! Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Protection of all
I believe the security forces are for the protection of all Fijians. Dan Urai Lautoka
