Fijian Drua and Mick Byrne
Overseas challenge
When will our Drua warriors taste victory over the sea last was in 2023 almost three years now. What is stopping us from winning crucial games abroad to boost our table standings? We certainly have the crowd support evident at Eden Park recently. We can’t blame the short turn around or travelling between weekly games, what is the issue? It’s been happening for three years now. The teams we are convincingly beating at home are thrashing us in their home turf. Can the Drua management shift the focus from home games (which we are failing as well this year) and do some serious assessment? One suggestion is to do a thorough assessment on why we cannot complete the full 80 minutes game overseas. Is it the climate issue? More cold compared to the humid conditions, the same also a weakness for overseas teams coming to our shores? How to quickly aclimatise and adjust to suit our game? Too much emphasis on home games will not be the game changer. We have not learned in the last three years. Can we have heads rolling now please. Vacava tacina? Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
What happened to Mick?
I believe the million dollar question in every one’s mind is what actually happened which led to the abrupt ending of Fiji Rugby coach Mick Byrne’s contract. And based on the fact that rugby in this country is a national issue for most citizens it is incumbent on the FRU to explain what actually happened that led to this situation. FRU should remember that we now live in a system and an environment where there is transparency and accountability and freedom of expression where the public has the right to information which is naturally and logically expected to be provided. And the country expects that the momentum that has been built by coach Mick Byrne will continue. Personally, I’m so proud of Fiji Rugby’s elevation to Tier One status and inclusion in the Nations Rugby Championship. Accordingly, Fiji’s performance at this championship should be our top priority now. I would therefore strongly urge the FRU to ensure we have warm up matches before we embark on this important tournament even with the Drua or the Skipper Cup teams. We will be in a better position for the World Cup 2027 from a better performance from this year’s championship. We all of Fiji including our diaspora no doubt are all behind Fiji Rugby to make us proud from the upcoming championship and finally in the World Cup 2027. Saverio Baleikanacea Delainavesi, Lami
Thank you Mick
Something is terribly amiss. I lament, with real heavy heart for Fiji’s fast developing rugby, on international stage, to Tier One status, the swiftness of highly successful national rugby coach, Mick Byrne’s exit from our shores. I remain quietly positive many in Fiji’s are saddened with the suddenness of Mick’s departure. I smell a “big rat”. (Why, I do not know). Thank you Mick Byrne for all your sacrifices in developing Fiji rugby to what it is today. Fiji Drua is a known brand name today. You contributed handsomely. You leave behind a rich and enviable legacy. We wish you well as your journey takes you on to more successful endeavours. A big vinaka vakalevu to you. Moce mada vakalailai. Your swift departure from Fiji will ring “alarm bells” to the international rugby fraternity. This, I can almost guarantee. The next 15 to 18 months will be “very telling” for the “Flying Fijian”. We will keenly wait and see. The Capital City’s rugby union is far too powerful in my view. We hope Mick’s exit, with immediate effect, will prove beneficially successful for Fiji rugby. Will Fiji remain in Tier One ranking after the next Rugby World Cup is my million dollar question. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
National identity
Mr Kamikamica stated that Fiji should have an inclusive identity (FT 4/4/26). Who actually initiated this inclusiveness? What was the motive? What is exactly wrong with ethnic identification? The iTaukei as Fijian and the others as Indian, Chinese, Solomons, etc. Is it racist? Hasn’t this been the case long before the issue arose? It is the identification of our birth heritage, in my opinion, not one derived from “political” colonialism. Were we not all ethnically born out of this world? Are we not proud of our own ethnic heritage? In fact, what we have been forced into, is “Fijian”, as a national identity, in my view. An Indian or a Chinese Fiji passport holder, I believe, is a Fiji citizen, but not a Fijian, ethnically. The person is Fiji born, but not by birth heritage. Leave alone lineage. In fact, all their contributions are very much appreciated, but I am certain, iTaukei had been globally identified as Fijians, ages ago. And it has been clearly stated, written and documented, in historical events. However, our ethnicity will be the only true identification of ourselves, I believe, as humans. And no one, I am certain, can rewrite or eradicate it, for we are born into it, as our DNA. That is God’s design. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Common language
Donald Singh’s message on vernacular studies (FT22/3) alerts all of us if there is a need for Tamil, Urdu, Chinese, Japanese and Hindi alongside teaching English. I believe some emphasis should be on understanding international language English as the world is a “small” place. I feel the need for a common language in Fiji, that is used on the streets, sports, shopping, grog sessions should continue for better understanding and communication in a multiracial country like Fiji. Many of us online listeners follow the entertaining “masala mix” on Navtarang Hindi program. “Mai, dua na bilo, eh matha to uh matha – Kaise baat” Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Trump’s desperation
President Donald Trump using ‘expletives’ (ABC) to threaten Iran is an indication of his desperation and despair in defeating Iran to salvage the US mid – term elections in November. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Timely decision
Good to know a pattern has been formed of making timely decisions about school closure in light of the cyclone warnings. Gone are the days when our students had to leave schools in the middle of adverse weather and be stuck with transport access and facing problems with the eTicketing cards being lost or having not enough balance. Our students’ safety is paramount and it’s a good feeling that they will be safe home and they are being informed beforehand. Vinaka authorities. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Rubbish burning
Why choose a tourism development site? Dan Urai Lautoka
Who wins?
Rakesh Chand Sharma wants me to take his advice (FT 6/4). When I need advice, I seek out people with profound knowledge and understanding; people who are deep thinkers.
For me Rakesh Chand Sharma is not in that category. Furthermore, I don’t take advice from people who make false accusations like RCS did when he publicly stated I had “an intense dislike of India and its people” when I had actually just returned from a fantastic visit to India! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Fijian name
The late British explorer Captain James Cook named our island nation Fiji which was adapted from the word Fisi and Viti. A foreign pronunciation adopted into common usage by European explorers and traders, members of the Great Council of Chiefs see it fitting and sacred as an ethnic name to be reserved only for the indigenous. Stop taking us back to the stone age for goodness sake! AREKI DAWAI Suva
Road safety, food security
Securing our energy and food future
The 2026–2027 National Budget is a chance to move Fiji from import dependency to national sovereignty. Currently, Fiji spends $1.2billion on fuel and $80million on wheat annually. This hurts every Fijian through high electricity bills and expensive bread. To meet Vision 2050 goals of a resilient, self-reliant nation, a bold shift is required. First, installing medium-scale Pyrolysis machines in towns like Rakiraki, Ba, Sigatoka, Vunato, and Savusavu will turn plastic waste into fuel generation which in turn is sold to EFL. The initial $25million investment will save $15million in annual fuel imports and create 200 new jobs, cleaning our environment while powering our homes and keeping power costs affordable for Fijians. Find alternative sites apart from Vuda if it can’t be built there, what about other places closer to Nadi especially when most of the waste going to Vunato, Lautoka is generated from the Sigatoka to Nadi and Lautoka corridor. Iran will definitely not be going back to the Stone Age as since 1979 it has become self-sufficient from technologies, medicines and other critical sectors for civil society to function since that it has suffered maximum pressure sanctions by the West. It will be the rest of the world which would probably go back to the Stone Age with a possible global economic recession due to increasing oil prices. Also a possible global famine due to high prices of fertiliser which is made from fuel as well. Fiji is a small Pacific island, we will be facing very strong headwinds if Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu’s War in West Asia does not finish soon. Pyrolysis oil further refined can act as precursors for making of locally made fertilisers. Pyrolysis Machines are sold in the West, China, USA and other countries as well. Second, mass solar power national adoption acts as a shield, protecting families from global oil price hikes. This is to complement hydro, diesel generators and proposed pyrolysis power generation. Creating a multilayered energy framework for our beloved country instead of relying on only two sources. Third, growing tropical wheat through partnerships with experts like Brazil’s EMBRAPA and Indonesia Ministry of Agriculture will secure our food supply and create 500 agricultural jobs. Especially when it seems that bread is the most consumed food, any type of bread that is. Supported by a National R&D centre and TVET training, these steps transform Fiji from a buyer of expensive foreign goods into a proud, Pacific producer. By turning our waste into energy and our soil into bread, we guarantee a cheaper, more secure life for all Fijians. Meli Matanatoto Nadi
Road safety tip
To all drivers, we ask you to be vigilant. Always be aware of your surroundings. Slow down when you enter residential areas or when children are near the roadside. A moving vehicle can cause serious harm, and this fact is very important. Too often, accidents happen because of carelessness and inattention. If you do not fully understand the responsibility of driving or lack good judgement, the best choice is to avoid driving altogether. Every road user should feel safe. However, the responsibility is not just on drivers. Pedestrians also need to be alert and aware of traffic. Road safety is a shared duty. By following basic safety rules, staying focused, and being careful — especially near busy roads — we can greatly lower risks. For parents and guardians, this responsibility is even more crucial. Sometimes, tough choices must be made with one main idea in mind: safety comes first. Reducing risks for children is not just important — it is vital. Ultimately, our roads are shared spaces. Whether we are driving, riding as passengers, or walking, we all have an important role in making sure they are used safely and responsibly. Everyone deserves to travel our roads without fear. Protecting that right begins with each of us. Suresh Chand Nadi
