Discipline in 7s rugby
One of Fiji’s major downfalls in the first sevens leg has been discipline. It is common that teams which get heavily penalised and receive cards are bulk of the time defending. It occurs when teams face relentless pressure and scramble to defend. This is typically the outcome from lack of possession. In the first two tournaments, the boys spent many minutes defending. They were made to run around and stretched across the park. The team failed many times to receive kick-offs successfully. Defending is not enjoyable. It is frustrating. This is when errors start to creep in. Thus, the disciplinary issues. An excellent example of possession and discipline is the quarter-final match between Australia and Fijiana. Other teams try to deprive Fiji of possession because they know what the opposition will do once it is achieved. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
COP25 failure
The failure of COP25 in Madrid to reach an agreement makes the United Nations look ridiculous in the eyes of the world. Using “climate change” to spread fear mongering, to try and force first world countries to cough up for the coffers, so that the snouts in the trough can have more money to grab. I believe 27,000 delegates to the Madrid conference would have already booked their flights for COP26 in Glasgow next year with hundreds of tons of carbon emitted from the jets winging these delegates in their first class seats to yet another taxpayer funded holiday. It’s a joke for them to lecture our neighbour Australia on its emissions when their amount is insignificant compared with China, India and South America Andrew Rodgers Nadi
Data bureau
The IMF’s mission chief to Fiji, Lopez Murphy, recently revealed in a press conference that a new “credit bureau” is to be established in Fiji (FT 16/11). I understand that he was referring to the re-establishment of the kind of “data bureau” that was created by some financial institutions as a privately-owned company in 2001 and was eventually closed down by Government. I fully understand the need for such a credit information collection agency, especially from the viewpoint of the commercial banks and the finance and credit providers — in terms of the ratings of the borrowers of funds and information on their ability to repay loaned funds and so on. That gives the lenders, some security in lending and its repayments. However, from the borrower’s point of view, I believe a number of fundamental issues can arise with such an information gathering system. I believe a significant one is related to the whole invasion of privacy issue, where it relates to personal credit information that is with the lenders (re: Sec 24 of the Constitution). There is also the issue as to who has access to the credit information collected and whether the borrower themselves have the right to also have access to the credit information kept on them, to check on its accuracy and whether it is up to date with the repayments made (re: Sec 25 of the Constitution). I am sure some of these issues arose with the earlier data bureau company and thus its demise and the eventual enactment thereafter, of the Fair Reporting of Credit Act 2016, to address these. I also understand that this new bureau will be a licensed government agency and not a private one and hope that it will also comply with the provisions in the Act, which did not exist back then. I also hope that these and other issues that may not be covered in the legislation are also addressed when the new bureau is finally established, so that the interests of the borrowers are really and truly taken into account this time around. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Person of the year
Rajend Naidu (FT 14/12) highly praised young Greta Thunberg who was recently honoured by Time as The Person of the Year. I think she can even win a Nobel prize next time. All Greta needs to do is to convince young people globally to stop using their electronic devices — smart phones, etc. Alternatively she could ask all her peers to stop travelling in motor vehicles but ride a bicycle to school instead. Such personal measures will at least reduce carbon footprint. Diminishing carbon footprint to any level means lowering carbon dioxide emission. We are told by experts that largely carbon dioxide emission leads to rise in global warming and consequential climate change. All the best to Greta when she takes her climate change activism to the next level. Sachida Nath Nadi
Local coaches
We had only one local coach who applied for the Flying Fijians’ coaching role. That should be a concern for the rugby fraternity. In New Zealand, rugby players are not only the sought-after commodity in rugby, coaches have also joined the migration of New Zealand talent making their mark on the global arena. With the appointment of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen for Toyota in Japan, Wayne Pivac as head coach for Wales, Dave Rennie for Australia and Jamie Joseph who coached Japan to their first quarter-finals outing are only a few of those making an impact on the international scene. Not forgetting our now former coach, John McKee who dramatically improved our scrums during his term (I still believe it’s unfortunate that his contract was not renewed) following the footsteps of another kiwi, Brad Johnstone who made an impact with his team in the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Anyway closer to home, do we have a pathway for our local coaches? Is there an academy for them? How many are groomed to become the next national coach in sevens or fifteens? While the focus in rugby is usually on the players, I believe emphasis should also be on the development of local coaches. If we have a wealth of talented and qualified coaches, the game of rugby in Fiji will obviously improve and we will have quality players rising through the ranks. I hope for years to come that more local coaches will see themselves worthy to be appointed for national roles. Sailosi Naewe Naduru Rd, Nausori
Cut out indiscipline
Head coach Gareth Baber must seriously and very closely look at our team’s ongoing problem and close affinity to copping yellow cards, with laser precision. In our cup semi-final with NZ, shamefully Fiji was reduced to five men, at one stage. This is shameful, to say the least extremely hard to watch. Where is our mental toughness? What has happened to our once proud and admirable display of 7s rugby? Have we now adopted unaccepted arrogance on such a huge stage in front of 50,000 spectators (never to be seen on Fiji shores)? I was so very ashamed in this match. At this international level of competition, and as Rio gold medallists, our indiscipline image leaves much to be desired. International 7s rugby outings are serious assignments. Baber must seriously address our team to both Hamilton and Sydney in January/February 2020. Definite disciplinary changes must follow. Fiji cannot, and must not be allowed to carry on with blatant indiscipline and total disregard of clearly laid down rules. Wake up Fiji. Stop this nonsense. Callous disregard of international 7s rules is intolerable. Sa lia na madua levu du. Sa raujia na waqe bura. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Cama’s absence
Tomasi Cama Sr was missing from Dubai and Cape Town 7s and his absence was felt as our stars collected 12 yellow cards and Fiji lies sixth on the WRSS points table! Perhaps somebody forgot that since Cama was roped in Fiji won five back to back tournaments on the WRSS. Please get Cama back! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Tourist activities
Extension of trading and nightclub hours has made the headlines once again. The extension had been made to boost commercial and tourism activities. But there are those “local tourists” who have spoilt this initiative. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Heated debate
Our friend Sukha Singh asks if FICAC has any forensic accountants. And how does one become one. Well Sukha, I was having a basin of grog with my nephew Manoj and the topic was heatedly debated. And it was concluded that they have forensics accountants and you can become one — they are called whistleblowers. I think that’s the best we have so far. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Crime victims
Taxidrivers are becoming victims of crime more often now and I urge the police to do roadblocks because none of the perpetrators are being arrested. Cab drivers pick up random people who may be drunk, on drugs or simply looking for trouble. I believe fare evasion and robbery is now common, and in certain cases drivers are also victims of violence, car theft and I believe there’s even been cases of murder. Apart from the violence they encounter they pay hefty infringement fines and take very little income home. The taxi industry plays an important role in urban transportation systems, both in economic and mobility terms yet have draconian working conditions. The cries of cab drivers are falling on deaf ears. DHARMENDRA KUMAR Rewa St Suva
No easy feat
Congratulations to NZ for winning the Cape Town 7s. It was no easy feat playing South Africa in the Rainbow Nation but NZ used their techniques well, slowed down the game and used the experience of Dickson, Baker, Weber and Curry to create space for Ng Shiu, Knewstubb, Ware, Collier, Rayasi and Rokolisoa. NZ has won the Commonwealth Games gold medal and Melrose Cup and I’m sure the Men in Black will pose serious threats to our title defence of the Rio Olympics gold medal. Congratulations NZ! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
