80 minutes only
The waterway to Super Rugby Pacific’s quarter finals is now up to the currents for the Fijian Drua. A positive tide will get them there, however, a game like the one they performed against the Western Force will not! For all the successful teams in Super Rugby in every round, it is their commitment and concentration for a full 80 minutes only, that gets them the win. The Brumbies game the week before, was a 70 minute effort. The Drua were right there, however, periodical lapses for at least 10 minutes lost them the game. Coach Byrne and his trainers have got the Fijian Drua to a commendable position on the Super Rugby Pacific table so far. It is now up to the players to show up for the full 80 minutes at each game they have left to play. And it begins with this Saturday’s game against the Queensland Reds. The Fijian Drua have been trained for a 120 minute game. The trainers have done their jobs, the coach his, and the onus is now on the players to commit to an 80-minute, high intensity, error-free running rugby the likes of which we the Fijian supporters, have seen only glimpses of. 80 minutes only. The run-on 15 together with the eight reserves will all have to have a singular purpose, just 80 minutes only of Fijian rugby at its very best and as only we can play it! Beware Queensland. Soko Drua Soko! Epeli Rabua Ragg Avenue, Tamavua, Suva
Fijian Drua
Most respectfully, in my eyes, the Fijian Drua in the current Super Rugby Pacific competition, has been clearly a very mixed bag of successes, achievements, failures and disappointments. We won matches we should have lost; and lost matches we should have won. Poor discipline reared its ugly head on numerous occasions. Some things are taught repeatedly (and they do not sink in). Consistency in sustained mental toughness seem out-of-reach when they mattered most. As the final hurdle approaches, on home soil, I pray Fijian Drua lift their game 200 per cent and restore all lost pride. Nothing short of good victory is needed. No more red cards and six week suspensions please. Fijian Drua can do much better. Show us. Don’t tell us, please. Here’s wishing you the very best, going forward. I thank Mick Byrne for all his tireless efforts “grooming” the Fijian Drua. My thanks also go to all support staff. You have done a sterling job. Our sincere thanks. Toso tiko vakavinaka Fijian Drua. Waqe vina. Waqe kaikai. Waqe savasava. Vucukia na vuravura. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Frank’s opinion
Former FRU coaching director Frank Boivert gave his frank opinion on the performance of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side. His opinion should not be taken lightly by head coach Mick Byrne and our boys, as they prepare to face an imperious and sizzling Reds outfit which sit on fifth position on 31 points. Boivert did not mince his words, as he correctly pointed out that the Drua’s lack of flair and predictability in play is allowing the opposition to counter its game. He urged the Drua to avoid the rucks and play the off-loading game more. I commend the no-nonsense Boivert for his frank opinion. On the other hand, the Drua must work on their defence if they are to stand any chance of upsetting the Reds. The Drua can’t afford to give the Reds too much room and space to launch their offence. We can’t afford a slip up, as the Moana, Crusaders, Force and Waratahs are right behind us. Wishing the boys all the best for the battle! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Our homeland
Fiji is our homeland
Fiji is the only country we know
Fiji has our memories always
Fiji is where our heart is
Fiji is where we dream
Fiji is our birth country
Fiji is our death country
Fiji will always be our country
Fiji will never ever go away from heart, mind and soul
No matter where we are. Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
No surprises
There will be no surprises in the 2024-2025 National Budget according to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance, honourable Professor Biman Prasad. No surprises are fair enough, but the next according to him is that the focus will be on improving the infrastructure. I must thank the Peoples’ Coalition Government, in particular the DPM and the Minister for the Finance for allocating $100 million in the past national budget for the maintenance and fixing of the roads which has seen most roads in Fiji are improved and in better condition than the past. Probably, focusing more on improving the infrastructure in the next will result in seeing better hospital services and facilities and more improved facilities like medical labs or more science laboratories to test more specimens as far as drugs are concerned in Fiji which is in a great mess at the moment. The workforce and Fiji citizens must be safe from drugs and the best way to tackle this is to go under the drug test for all, including all civil servants and police. Probably, this will be a surprise for all. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua
A silver story
She raced past two front runners to the tape, came second, climbed to the dais for the silver medal, her name was announced as silver medallist and photos were taken with an interview by the media. She got all the glory and is part of the history of the Fiji Finals. Later they stripped off her medal because she didn’t deserve but it was all too late. Her name and school will be remembered in years to come. Without a medal she is now very popular and has a story to tell to her generation. Which to me is worth more than a medal. By beating the system. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Memorial service
I wonder if it’s possible in the near future for members of the community with the Coalition Government to pay tribute and honour those who have contributed tirelessly to the building of this island nation by only having an early morning memorial service. As our token of remembrance, interested citizens could attend an inter-faith service, laying of flowers etc, which will also lighten the unnecessary digging into the taxpayer’s coffers. If Ratu Sukuna and other forebears were alive to speak up on the unnecessary and needless money spending the Coalition Government continues to make today, I believe they would say “kemudou set tiko”! Residents of Sakoca, parts of Tacirua and Nasinu area to name a few have been facing water disruption daily for decades and yet those ministers who were voted in by the living tend to forget to prioritise their core duties and fundamental functions in Government. AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Pl, Suva
Global warming
Clear blue sky in the sweet city but flooding and landslide 170km away in Serua. One of the unequivocal evidence apart from the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is real, ongoing and its present threat is undeniable. The effects of human activities of course. Sad eh! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Public holiday
Sometimes God allows changes to be made, breaking man-made rules in order to set things right for his people. The Girmit Day holiday has been passed in Parliament and we all just have to enjoy and live with it. Let us work with this Government in moving the nation forward into a better Fiji and it is imperative that we do not drive forward while looking at the rear vision mirror. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
White House on Gaza issue
The White House sees no genocide in Gaza (Reuters/FT 15/5). Many Americans, especially the educated university community, see genocide quite clearly taking place against the Palestinians in Gaza.
The White House’s inability to see that reality is understandable given its bombs have been used to commit the genocide. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
‘Great achievement’
If 80,000 people have left the country since the last election, as has been reported, that means approximately 10 per cent of the population have left the country. That is a massive blow to the economy of any country anywhere. However, for those in Government, this is a proud achievement. In fact, this is their greatest achievement in the past 18 months. The good news is that these people will send money back to the country in remittances. The country will continue to survive on charity and proudly so. The people of Fiji are truly blessed, no doubt. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Gaza problem
Rajend Naidu (FT 14/05) actually supported my point by continuing the blame game on Israel without establishing where I was coming from. All I am saying is with all the suffering that has resulted, why not try and push for peace and get to the root of the problem by asking the instigators to lay down their arms and release the hostages. Israeli offence stops, problem solved. It is just another option in the face of the current dire situation. Just offering. Emosi Balei Suva
Ceiling crisis
As a concerned Fijian citizen and student, I am driven to speak on a particular issue regarding the ceiling crisis at the CWM Hospital. I urge the Government to look into this issue as it has raised many questions about the safety of doctors, nurses and patients as well as the maintenance of healthcare facilities. This crisis resulted in the reduction of surgical theatres, therefore contributing to a decrease in doctors’ ability to help patients whereby they attend to emergency cases first and an increase in waiting time for patients, which potentially takes up a few days or so. Government intervention is important because CWM Hospital is known to be a public hospital and the main hospital in Fiji. Government assistance, whether it is financial or not, will benefit the hospital in terms of the services it provides as well as its health facilities. If so, it will also reassure the general public of the safety of patients, doctors and nurses. In the interest of patient safety and the reputation of the healthcare facilities, urgent measures must be taken to solve this problem. I urge the relevant authorities to prioritise this issue as it poses a great risk to patients, doctors and nurses in the surgical department. If not taken care of, the lives of doctors, nurses and especially patients will be at risk. Vivienne Chambers Samabula, Suva
Girmit holiday
The Coalition Government displaced the Constitution holiday with the Girmit. It is really a sensible idea, in my view, because it has a valuable and rich history. The girmitiya laid the solid foundation of Fiji’s national economy during the early stages towards Fiji’s emergence for independence. It was through their toil and tears under sometimes very inhuman and cruel treatment, that brought about the economical growth, at the cross road of Fiji’s initial development. Almost all of the later arrivals rise into being, after such a platform has been established. May we continue to embrace the Girmit holiday, as a constructive and educational memorial of Fiji’s national history. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
