Every reason
Portugal has every reason under the sun to create history in defeating Fiji and preventing it from progressing to the quarter-finals.
Congratulations to the Flying Fijians for defeating Georgia but as fans clearly saw, it was a struggle and one cannot under estimate any team.
The Georgia team had easily studied the Fijians and shut them down with a rushed defence and had players running at top speed every time they kicked.
If the Flying Fijians go with the same team line up then it makes it much easier for Portugal to identify our weaknesses and centre their game around this.
With all due respect, there is a need for variation and inclusion of game breakers such as Masi.
What an interesting game awaits us.
Both Fiji and Portugal have every reason under the sun to register a victory this weekend.
Floyd Robinson, Micronesia
Simon’s right tune
Vinaka to our super coach Simon Raiwalui for setting the tune this week – focus on Portugal and nothing else and no time for any “outside noise”.
Eddie Jones is renowned to make sarcastic remarks and he has already started to play the mind games putting the oval and unpredictable rugby ball in our court.
Why should we get unfazed, we have set ourselves a target on each game and that is the way to go.
We have no control on who reaches the quarters or semis or final to win the Webb Ellis Cup.
We should enjoy every game and absorb the challenge, the mental games will continue, the barking will go louder and the screams will reach the roof.
Toso Viti.
We are the mana magic Flying Fijians, the way the world should see.
It’s time to revamp, re-energize and focus on one vision to blast the Portuguese left right and centre and show the rugby world we are in here to stay and mean business.
I will wake up next Monday morning with only one thing on my mind go Fiji forever Fiji.
Joka dina boys.
Show them to them.
Lave mai na rara.
Kaukauwa dina.
Vacava tacina?
Shalwyn Prasad, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Nayacalevu makes dad, country proud!
Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu has made his dad, family, and country proud.
Since being named the skipper of the 15s side, Wise, as he is fondly called, has not let those who shouldered him that responsibility, down.
I vividly remember how Wise, and his brother Avenisi Vasuinubu broke into the 7s team when they starred for the Uprising 7s team during the Uprising 7s tournament.
Wise helped the side beat the All Blacks 7s 35-28 in the final of the 2012 Hong Kong 7s final.
As humble as he was that night, when the 7s side lifted the holy grail at So Kon Po Stadium after hammering the All Blacks 7s, Wise continues to show the same attitude and humility.
I can imagine how proud his dad Waisale Vuidravuwalu would have been on the stands of Stade de Bordeaux as Wise scored a breathtaking try.
It was a special moment for Vuidravuwalu as he celebrated his birthday miles away from home- such a pleasant birthday gift to a father by his son!
Vinaka vakalevu Wise for gifting your proud dad the memorable birthday gift!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Parking meter space, tints
A line of flashy government vehicles parked outside Parliament on the Albert Park side.
I would like some clarity from the Suva City Council.
Is Government or the respective ministries paying for use of public parking space?
Because when I park my vehicle, I pay through the parking machines.
Are the rules different for Government ministers and ministries where they plonk their vehicles all day and all week long?
As a tax payer, I would like to see my/our monies put to good use, not having government ministers have a free ride at a taxpayer’s cost.
Unless the law is different, but from what I understand the law should be equal.
Please pay, especially now that each minister is $10,000 richer!
Whatever happened to the removal of tints from government vehicles as directed by the honourable Prime Minister.
Bar a few, the rest of the ministers are yet to remove tints from their vehicles.
Where is LTA’s enforcement?
I was asked to remove my vehicle’s tints with a defective notice.
Unless there is another law for exemption on tints for our beloved ministers.
But I will accept the reason for tints on government vehicles is to ward of evil spirits and if I may dare to say, cults.
Because that is what everyone is saying.
Jagen Prasad, Samabula, Suva
Soccer competition
Since the IDC will be played during the week, it will be interesting to see what the Ministry of Education will do about students participating as referees, ball boys and players.
Many students will be participating and they all will be missing on school work for four days.
This is something that Fiji FA should think about as many students will be having end-of-year exams.
Geoffrey Chand, Lautoka
Champing at the bit
We’re all aware that Fiji’s game against Georgia was somewhat frustrating where our brave warriors seemed to be out of sync and out of sorts especially in the first half.
But most of us aren’t aware of what’s happening behind the scenes where maybe the personal challenges some might be going through being so far away from home is affecting them and their performance.
So if anything, now more than ever, they need our love, support, prayers and backing to help boost their morale.
Watching some of the magical moments in the game like when Botia sliced open the Georgian defence to help set up that try still gives me goosebumps. His slashing run ignited our warriors resulting in a try.
I still believe with all my heart that we’re yet to see them at their best.
Like you, I’m champing at the bit for the game against Portugal.
Go Fiji, go!
We believe in you and Fijians all over the world are right behind you.
Colin Deoki, Australia
Newspaper price
On my visit to Australia, I transited through Melbourne airport to Adelaide.
While waiting for the flight, I bought The Sydney Morning Herald for $A4.50.
Upon enquiring about the high price, I was informed that not many people read newspapers in Australia.
I am glad that our newspaper The Fiji Times costs $1.60 only.
Rakesh Chand Sharma, Nadi
Subrail Park
It’s a very good thing we have public spirited citizens like A Shariff Shah who draws attention to grassroots issues like the deplorable condition of Subrail Park in Labasa and Ganilau Park in Savusavu which do injustice to the ordinary sports lovers in the country.
He is right in questioning what the relevant authorities responsible for these sports facilities in Vanua Levu are doing?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Unnecessary debt
Are the authorities aware that the elderly could only buy adhesive for their dentures in a pharmacy?
In many countries in the world, denture adhesive is available in the supermarkets.
In a competitive market, the shelf price for denture adhesive is half the price of identical product in a pharmacy.
Is this not loading the pensioner with unnecessary debt?
Navneet Ram (TD), Lautoka
World ranking
One thing I have learned in this year’s Rugby World Cup is to never underestimate any participating teams and never rely on the WR rankings.
They can be deceiving.
Pita Soroaqali, Rakiraki
Sugar Festival
This year’s Sugar Festival venue is at Lautoka Club area instead of Churchill Park grounds.
The track there has large potholes filled with water.
Part of the inconvenience at the current venue is less parking space for motorists.
Also movement for those eager to enjoy themselves in the small space has been restricted due to being easily targeted by pick pockets and those reaching out for cash.
I request organisers for such events to give a second thought for an appropriate venue come the following year.
DAVID SUSHIL LAL, Malolo St, Lautoka
Coin issue
Considering the price of goods nowadays, we should perhaps do away with the 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent coins.
Just like the 1 cent and 2 cent coins a few years back.
Even the beggars nowadays demand 50 cents, or else they won’t give blessings.
Ajay Singh, Natabua, Lautoka
FSC profit
Did I hear it right that FSC has made a profit?
If FSC made a profit then someone did something right.
What was that something right?
Geoffrey Chand, Lautoka
Spoilt festival
Look, I’ll be very frank, if the organisers of Sugar Festival cannot source a decent venue (like our beloved Churchill Park), please do not host my most anticipated carnival at all.
I do not look forward to going to a poorly coordinated festival accommodated in one of Lautoka areas plagued by drunkards, drug users, glue sniffers and habitual thieves (grab and run gang).
A huge back slap on the organising committee.
This festival was hosted at a disputed spot without public consultation.
Shame on you.
My Sugar Festival is ruined!
Nevertheless, I am keenly looking forward to the Farmer’s Carnival which will be held at Churchill Park in a fortnight’s time.
Cannot wait to indulge in some salivating BBQ, Candy floss and colour “wala” popcorn.
Yum, yum!
I hope they have the “Sizzler” ride.
Spin spin.
Nishant Singh, Lautoka
Health care
The alarm bells are definitely ringing distinctly loud and clear.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services needs to heed the worrying messages from retired Dr Eddie McCaig.
The honourable line minister has much on his plate.
The proper delivery of health care is on the wane for many reasons.
Neglect started many years ago.
Failure is evident today.
I have, since April, 2023, voiced my concerns about “shortfalls” in the delivery of healthcare at Aspen Lautoka Hospital.
I wrote to PS H&MS then.
It has not gone any further since.
It is not my intention to go into details and long drawn out repeats.
In brief, following a health scare in mid April, 2023, my spouse still awaits an Echo appointment with Aspen Lautoka Hospital.
Clopidogrel Tabs 75 mg for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes were “out of stock” last Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
Nifedipine Tabs 20 mg, for high blood pressure, among others, were also not available.
As retirees we had no choice but resort to purchase the above from private pharmacies.
Sometimes, these “shocks” bust personal budgets.
Poverty is very real.
Does anyone really care?
I recently wrote on several out of stock medications from Nadi Hospital Pharmacy, and do not see a need to repeat all of the same.
This is only the tip of the proverbial “health ice-berg”.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services definitely needs a great big helping hand from the World Health Organization.
Our MoH is not coping.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
