Rugby 7s
One thing that brings Fijians together is rugby 7s. Something about it strikes hard at the level of excitement. Our pride reflects highly for our hard-working boys and the nation regardless of their win or loss. Thank you to our rugby heroes for giving us a reason to smile and have pride. Thank you for lifting our spirits. The claps and cheering from our neighborhood brings life to the environment around and lets us know our warriors are rocking on the field somewhere. Oh, the beauty of that feeling I must say. Thank you to our hard-working players once again for the visible mark on the map that we are known for in rugby 7s. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Flying Fijians fall short!
THE 19-21 loss to Cape Town 7s champions South Africa was heartbreaking. Our boys gave everything they had in the tank but the firepower, pace and armoury in the likes of Donavon Don, Ricardo Duarttee, Sebastiaan Jobb, Tristan Leyds, Shilton van Wyk, David Brits, Zain Davids, Christie Grobbelaar and Ryan Oosthuizen proved the difference. Injuries to Jo Talacolo and Tira Wilagi didn’t help us either and when our gasman Viwa Naduvalo, who ignited the comeback spark, was stretched off, morale and momentum went low. What was disappointing was that the boys started slowly off the blocks and allowed the opposition to take a commanding 14-0 lead. However, the ability to fightback into the game brought fans to their feet as the Kings of comeback raced to a 19-14 lead. South Africa’s green machine fought until the final whistle and poor discipline from Fiji allowed the Blitzboks to become the first team to win two tournaments on the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS WRSS circuit. Despite the close loss, I am impressed with the work head coach Osea Kolinisau has put in with the national 7s team. Our boys looked fit and sharp in the third leg. One gold, one silver medal and the lead on the overall points table say so much about the passion, commitment, dedication and determination shown by the team. Fiji leads the pack with 70 points, followed by South Africa (66), the All Blacks 7s (62) and France and Australia (54). The series is getting competitive and tough and Fiji must prepare accordingly for the Vancouver 7s, where we face Australia, which finished third after beating NZ 12-10, Argentina, which finished fifth after beating Spain 24-19, and France, which finished seventh after beating Great Britain 24-17. We need to build on the momentum and lift our intensity level. The boys need to be brutal. After all, we are the only team on the current series to reach four semis and humiliate the All Blacks 7s 35-0. I salute the boys for their great efforts and wish Naduvalo, Talacolo and Wilagi quick recovery! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Perth 7s
I AM not going to say anything about the Mickey Mouse Perth SVNS. But an eyewitness has told me that there was only one banner on the HSBC Building in the whole of Perth about the SVNS tournament held in that city last weekend. The stadium was empty from the picture in The Fiji Times. And no one in Australia knew there was this tournament in Perth. No coverage on TV or the papers. If you do not believe me, just ask your family and friends who live in Australia. I can only conclude the popularity in Fiji for this third-rate game is the Third World kaila mentality of the Mickey Mouse grog dopeys of Fiji. One more thing, sack the coach and make Rajnesh Ishwar Lingham the coach. We need some diversity in the sport. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
QUICK VIEWS
Drug fight
Keeping the environment clean is yet another way to fight drugs as shown by “faith growing” (FT 1/2). Many of us lack civic pride to maintain a clean environment. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Tigers edge Lions!
Rewa has an upper hand in the Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion series after beating Labasa 1-0 in the first leg at Ratu Cakobau Park. It took the boot of former Labasa rep Mosese Nabose to down the Babasiga Lions. Both sides missed their star players who had either changed districts or joined the Bula FC. However, both sides played constructive football despite the wet ground conditions. Labasa tried to find the equaliser, but their efforts were in vain. Rewa coach Priyant Mannu and Labasa coach Alvin Chand deserve accolades for their efforts. Rewa’s 1-0 win is a great start to the series. Labasa faces Rewa this Saturday at Subrail Park, and the Lions will aim to topple the Tigers. As the season started, the ‘Voice of Football’, Raymond ‘The Greatest’ Stoddart, was at his ever best as he brought the match live to the doorsteps of thousands of football lovers who could not make it to Ratu Cakobau Park. I thank him for his contributions, and I wish the Lions all the best for the second leg! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
High spirits
You know what’s the best with our rugby 7s players? They don’t lose hope and they have faith in God. No wonder they do wonders for us. Isa, just can’t stop feeling proud of them. Kirti Patel Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
One liners
Dan Urai has a lot of one-line solutions to Fiji’s problems. I am sure he is very popular with his letters, just like the people of Fiji cannot get enough of a dinosaur from 40 years ago. I suggest he should stand at the next election, and he will be a shoo-in no doubt. He can then implement his one-line solutions. Like I always say, the people of Fiji are truly blessed. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Musa and the homeless
‘Stunt’ pays off
After trying very hard to understand what exactly happened regarding the missing person case in Vanua Levu, I came to the realisation that the stunt paid off. A grown man losing connection and deciding against trying to find his way back home simply suggests that he never intended to return home. The public bought his nonsense and made him a hero of some type. After being found, he should have been slapped properly for the heartache he brought to his mother. Idiot! How hard was it to stop a carrier or anything with wheels and hitch a ride home? How difficult was it to ask his hosts for assistance? He must be investigated and his movements monitored. And the idiots showering him with gifts also need a head check. Donald Singh Nausori
Nadi’s homeless
The majority of homeless individuals on the streets of Nadi Town seem to take refuge at the Nair Dias, while the rest use the pavements as their beds once night falls. It’s unclear whether the Department of Social Welfare is aware of this overlooked and marginalised group, as their numbers appear to be growing. Many of them seem to have gone without a proper shower or a change of clothes for a long time. This situation calls for immediate attention because these individuals have no one else to turn to for assistance. It’s crucial to remember the responsibility and duty of care that those in such desperate circumstances hope for from you. While our issue might not yet be as overwhelming as in some other countries, there seems to be little action taken to address it effectively. These people cannot continue to be left in such a state. They have already been abandoned by their own families — please do not follow suit. I urge you to provide them with shelter and support before their plight becomes even more unbearable. Suresh Chand Nadi
Viral Musa
Many businesses in Fiji are using Musa to attain fame and promote their products. A few are giving freebees to him. Yesterday, a Hindi radio station called Musa during their ‘Breakfast Show’ to interview him calling him the ‘viral Musa.’ Many people have gone missing previously and some were successfully located. But why Musa? What is so special about his disappearance and being found later? It is setting a wrong precedent for other youths to go missing. Where are we heading towards, Fiji? DINESH KUMAR Ba
