Bula
The group of naval officers responsible for the grounding of the Royal Fiji Naval Ship Puamau near Fulaga, Lau, last month could be facing a court martial.
Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said disciplinary action was on the cards for the ship’s commanding officer.
That’s the big one on the front page of The Fiji Times for Saturday, July 20.
In the second story on Page 1, Constitutional lawyer Jon Apted says social media should not be used as a place to harass and bully people.
In an interview with The Lens@177, Mr Apted said public shaming of people have been amplified by social media.
And the top Business story is about Sikeli Nakoivalu, the landowner behind the proposed housing project development at Waisasa in Tacirua outside Suva, who has defended his decision to use occupied land saying he is doing it for the financial security of his family and future generations.
Eviction for about 100 families that currently live there is now a very real possibility with lawyers serving eviction notices giving them 45 days to vacate the property or the matter will be taken to court.
Letters to the editor
Seven pages of people’s views inside.
Synopsis
The fans want something special this afternoon when the Flying Fijians take on the might of the New Zealand All Blacks at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
There’s a lot of expectations and a lot of hype surrounding this clash on American soil.
It’s our first time there, and all eyes will be on how the Mick Byrne coached side will manage against an All Blacks team that is on a rebuilding phase.
The stage is set for a physical affair, with Byrne making no bones about the need for physicality against the All Blacks.
He knows it is not going to be a walk in the park.
Physicality, he says, is going to be a key aspect of the Fijian challenge.
The All Blacks head in as hot favourites.
Their tested side, brimming with exposure and grunt, are powerful.
The writings on the wall. Experience, exposure, and more test caps add weight to the All Blacks challenge.
In the face of that, Fijian fans will be banking on hope, and the realization that the Fijian Drua have defeated NZ powerhouses in Super Rugby, and will be hoping that translates to the Test arena this afternoon.
It is difficult though to expect too much considering the wealth of talent in the All Blacks side.
But Byrne never had the options at the Drua that he now has at international level. And that’s right across the field, from the tight five, our backrow, to the backline.
So while we will head in being real about the top status of the All Blacks, fans will be looking to our pack to be competitive.
Attention will be on blindside flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu, openside flanker Kitione Salawa and number eight Viliame Mata taking on the might of Luke Jacobson at 6, Ethan Blackadder at 7 and Ardie Savea at 8.
Now that’s going to be a exciting affair.
It’s a prospect that’s already raising goosebumps.
We succumbed to the Barbarians 32-45 before defeating Georgia 21-12 in our last two games, while the All Blacks put out England in two Tests at home.
So as much as we may want to see the collapse of the All Blacks, reality may not be on our side!
Fans will still look forward with great anticipation though.
No one gave us any hope against England at Twickenham last year, or against the Australian Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in France.
We celebrated our first victory over England, 30-22, and defeated the Wallabies 22-15 at Saint-Etienne!
The All Blacks may head in as hot favourites, but the onus is on our Flying Fijians to live their dreams, and play their hearts out today!
We say go Fiji, go!
