Drua goes down fighting
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s second half performance against the Waratahs at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney should be worrying head coach Glen Jackson and his team management. After coming from behind 7-0 to lead the hosts 10-7, the Drua conceded a soft try but then clawed right back into the game with a penalty. However, that was it as the Drua conceded 22 unanswered points. The number of penalties that we conceded were an eyesore. There were flashes of both individual and team brilliances, but the boys failed to capitalise on the given opportunities. I was impressed with Taniela “Motopai” Rakuro and Isikeli Rabitu’s performances, but our forward pack badly let us down as time and again they collapsed the scrum and were penalised. Missed tackles allowed Max Jorgensen to slip like an eel to the tryline. Furthermore, fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula had an off-day with his kicking boot. We need a fly-half who is tactical with his kicking and can create gaps for the backline to strike. Seriously, I missed Caleb Muntz who was so creative and deadly. The Drua’s performances last year and this year take us back to 2022 when we made our debut in the Super Rugby Pacific campaign. The boys have not been able to replicate brilliant performances from 2023 and 2024 where we made the quarters. There are a lot of questions on the body language of the players and the team’s fitness. I just hope that the excitement and hype in Nadi are not distraction factors for the Drua. Back-to-back losses ask a lot of questions about the pre-competition preparations. I hope the boys will regroup ahead of round three as they search for their first win of the season. The Drua faces the Hurricanes who thrashed the Moana 52-10. The way the Hurricanes played indicates the Drua must be prepared for a torrid battle! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Love for discards
There has been a realisation in recent times that there are just too many cars on the roads which has led not only to parking problems in towns and cities, but also the pathetic condition of the roads. Of all the cars on the roads, how many are cheap second-hand rejects from Japan? And for how long have they been allowed to come into the country? I believe Fijians love second-hand rejects, don’t they? The whole country is full of discards and rejects but the people cannot see what is in plain sight. And then they all wonder why the country is where it is. So, whose fault is all this? The referee? Jan Nissar Lautoka
Public convenience
I have noted on every Saturday morning, walking past the Viti Minibus base passing the Telecom entrance, one will notice the smell of urine, which is not pleasant at all if we have visitors from abroad frequenting this area on their way towards the handicraft centre. I believe a public convenience should be erected within the Viti Minibus base. Please Suva City Council, do something about it. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
More promo, less rugby
Congratulations to the Fijian Drua for maintaining what appears to be their most consistent form this season — excellence in promotion, publicity, and pre-match poetry. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about their pathetic display of rugby. After two consecutive losses in the 2026 Super Rugby campaign, one would think there might be a shift in tone. Instead, supporters are treated to grand declarations about “defending fortresses” and “seeking redemption”. At Churchill Park, fans were assured that the “fortress” would stand firm. The result? The walls came down rather quickly as the humble Pacific Moana gave the Drua side an embarrassing hiding. The following week, we were promised “redemption” against the NSW Waratahs. Once again, the talk was bold. The performance, however, was anything but. If words alone earned competition points, the Drua would be sitting comfortably at the top of the table. I believe the Fijian Drua is all about commercial obligations. These include brand endorsements, pizza promotions, appliance launches, and smiling for endless photo opportunities with fans. But let us be clear, supporters pay to watch rugby, not advertising campaigns. The Drua are a professional rugby team, not social media influencers on tour. Perhaps instead of crafting the next catchy slogan for round three, the focus could shift to crafting a defensive structure. Instead of promising redemption, perhaps promise accountability. Instead of protecting a “fortress”, perhaps start by protecting the try line. Until performances match proclamations, the only trophy the Drua seem certain to defend is the one for pre-match publicity. Drua must focus on performance, not publicity, pizza promotions and fan photo shoots. You are not a modelling agency! And please, enough of all that pre-match big talk. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Village bylaws
All iTaukei villages, I believe, need village bylaws to reinforce customary legislation that governs their boundaries. It is recognised within the 1997 Constitution, but restrained in the 2013, in my opinion. Chiefs and tribal heads, I am certain, have very minimal legal authority to counter drug and criminal activities within their customary jurisdiction. And this has to be expedited as the “war on drugs” rises within our communities. Besides, in my opinion, it also administers proper “burial locations” that have been continuously abused within village boundaries. As a matter of fact, I am certain that the Fiji indigenous, the iTaukei, have been “hoodwinked” by the very Government that should be their guardian angel. On whose watch is it? Samu Silatolu Nakasi, Nausori
Fight for justice
As a badly betrayed senior pensioner, well into my 74th year of earthly existence, with many others, we suffer pain and hardship today. The previous government, in their “infinite hold on power” and superior authority, saw it fit to justify inflicting irreparable harm on senior pensioners. God watches every move on the harm you inflicted on us. To my last breath, I will fight on for justice. It is hard to believe how power really corrupts. Sometimes, the “devil’s advocate is too powerful”. The devil has his own hold on power-hungry leaders. Your victory today, is my heavenly celebration one day. FNPF still holds on to the illegality of “The Law.” Shameful. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Greatest spenders
Workers are the greatest spenders. Provided they receive wages above the poverty line. DAN URAI Lautoka
King and GCC
Not now gentlemen, I’m busy. CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIN Perth, Australia
Fiji embassy in UK?
I gather from the news that former Fiji journalist Charlie Charters flew in from England to get his Fiji passport renewed. But he was arrested and detained at Nadi and then transferred to Suva. Isn’t there a Fiji embassy in UK to facilitate the renewal of Fiji passports? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Swimming pool
It is definitely not out of mind and sight, rather more of losing hope. Knock, knock, anyone in authority listening? Kirti Patel Lautoka
Due diligence
Recently noted in the media, Suva City Council has been ordered by the court to pay someone a certain amount of money. As reported, this came about due to negligence and failure on the part of the council to ensure duty of care. This incident happened within the market premises whereby a person was injured. Now the same goes for all the city/town councils within Fiji, whatever premises are under your jurisdiction, always practise due diligence to avoid such accidents. The court has now set a precedent for one to follow if encountering a similar incident in the future. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Global crises and Trump
Responsible stance
Pope Leo rejects Trump’s “Board of Peace” invite and backs UN to solve global crises (Independent 19/2/26). It shows the higher order intelligence and integrity of the Pope to not join the board. It might even be because he does not wish to be seen to be party to Trump’s hidden agenda to eclipse the UN’s role in addressing global disputes. And last but not least, how can the Pope sit at the same table as Russian dictator Putin and Israeli PM Netanyahu both of whom Trump has included in his line up for the board? The Pope has taken a very responsible and sensible stance. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Time to get a new coach
The recent decision by the US Supreme Court was correct, but surprising. A 6-3 vote count was expected but rather as 3-6. Sometimes people do the right thing. Sports can be an analogy for many parts of life, do your bit, train hard, play fairly, accept the umpires decisions and accept your loses when they happen but not everyone does this and a few do none. As a coach of many school sporting teams, I have tried to encourage these attributes in my players. I have never called a player that I selected a “loser” even on the few occasions when their performance would perhaps justify it. I doubt that Donald Trump ever coached one of his children’s sporting teams for which many other children could be thankful. I think Trump’s team, the Republicans, aren’t going to have many victories this year under his leadership. As to whether this is better or worse others can decide that. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia
The Sunday Times!
Some years back, the management of The Fiji Times Ltd decided not to publish The Sunday Times. For many readers, who love The Fiji Times and feel being part of the family, felt an injustice hit us as we pleaded with the management to continue with The Sunday Times. As a kid reading The Fiji Times in Savusavu, back then The Sunday Times was not published. A copy of The Fiji Times was then sold for fifty cents. We would eagerly wait for Monday’s The Fiji Times as it contained the sports lift-out. Being a crazy sports fanatic, I wrote the results in my sports book. Rugby and football of course making most of the pages. We did not have Facebook or social media, so we resorted to the print media. Well, I had to thank my destiny that my parents were schoolteachers and could afford a copy of The Fiji Times. Today, The Sunday Times has become an essential part of many readers who get so much information from the newspaper. Saturday’s news happenings and sports results are contained in The Sunday Times which are fresh in the minds of the readers. The features column is a hit. Yesterday’s The Sunday Times featured a range of wonderful readings — “Boy falls into death river” and “Kolinio Lesi weaves his own path” by Ana Madigibuli, “The unfinished sequel” and “A voice for justice” by Alifereti Sakiasi, “Bright sparks of humanity” by seasoned writer Colin Deoki, “Beqa Island’s unique firewalking gift” by a gifted and award-winning writer John Kamea, “Belonging without explanation” by Amy Lee-Hopkins and “Can we grow younger?” by veteran writer Arvind Mani. Great work, team The Sunday Times! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
