Nadruku’s sevens legacy
Vilimoni Botitu reminds me of Noa Nadruku, the man that left us a legacy in sevens especially the rover position.
Botitu’s ability to break and penetrate defences and his bone crushing tackles is in the same trade as Nadruku.
The selectors in sevens have had a hard time to find Nadruku’s replacement and a specialist rover.
I believe Botitu is their answer.
Finally with the sudden emergence of players that have taken sevens by storm such as Meli Derenalagi, Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba, can stakeholders ensure we retain, nurture and look after their family with a long-term goal and not hang loose and allow overseas poaching.
They are travelling and a lot of talanoa will start now on their rugby future where big money is involved.
Eroni Sau left us playing only one year of sevens.
Who is next?
Shut the gates please with 2020 just near.
Toso Viti, tarova na poaching …joka Viti.
Shalwyn Prasad, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Religious quality
It didn’t come as a surprise that 7s coach Gareth Baber said that there was “religious quality” about training at the sand dunes.
Our 7s reporter in Hamilton Mike Seru alluded to the sacred attachment our 7s team and the traditional giants of Fiji rugby- Nadroga had with the sand dunes and our reporter in Sydney Jo Makaba summed it up in yesterday’s The Fiji Times, that training at the sand dunes had a very special place for our 7s heroes.
The difference was seen in Hamilton when our boys had the gas to pump against top sides Australia, Canada, South Africa and the USA.
Training at the dunes has added a bond within our players and this can be seen on TV.
Whenever one player scores a try the members of the team are there to give him a pat, hug or kiss.
Training at the sand dunes has made our boys tough and it will pay dividend when pressure mounts and crucial decisions will have to be made.
While the talking point is the lifting of the ball carrier in Hamilton and the way we dismantled South Africa and the USA, I believe fans must continue to support the boys in Sydney as our team prepares to face the ominous task of winning back to back titles in the same leg one week after another.
This we have yet to achieve.
We won four tournaments last year over breaks.
We won the Vancouver 7s (10-11 March).
We won in HK (6-8 April).
We won in Singapore (28-29 April) and then we won in London (2-3 June).
Hence, fans should realise that winning two tournaments in the same leg one week after another has continued to haunt ardent 7s fans and has yet to be fulfilled so let’s wait patiently for the excitement to unfold in Sydney on Saturday!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Stay humble
To our gallantly awesome Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team, please remain humble, keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, continue to play clean, hard, explosive, open running 7s rugby, the sky is the limit, keep reaching for the stars.
And know deep down, every Fijian on Earth is with you as you seek your very first Cup victory and top of the podium exemplary finish in the Sydney 7s this weekend.
You now have all that it takes.
There is no doubt.
Toso Viti toso.
Jao Fiji jao.
Go Fiji, go.
Ronnie Chang, Nadi
Cane production
It is surprising that the millers of our sugar cane are demanding an increase in the production of sugar cane.
I fail to understand the logic behind such proposals when the ability to crush all the cane produced currently is not evident.
There are tonnes of leftover cane in the fields after the completion of the crushing period yet again there is a proposal to increase cane production.
With one mill less and the rest struggling to crush, what will happen to the rest of the cane?
Who will buy it and who will compensate the farmers for the leftover cane?
No matter what happens, I believe our farmers will be at the receiving end with loss.
By the way, I thank the Minister for Lands for attending the talks on moving the sugar industry ahead.
This is his additional responsibility in the interim but he has been around with the farmers diligently.
I hope this is free service on your part.
Sugar is no longer as sweet as it is supposed to be.
Too many experts and too many reports but no evidence of improvement on land.
Dhirendra Prasad, Lautoka
Blockade in town
Again, I wrote a similar letter that was published in March 2018.
I visited my beloved hometown last week and was astounded to see a “blockade”, I believe an illegal one at that, for the third consecutive time, within months, along Bentley’s Lane, Levuka.
Some people with evidently nil civic pride, I believe total disrespect, disregard and no concern, dumped heaps of gravel and sand on the lane, blocking off approximately 95 per cent of space, thus, denying vehicles access, to and fro.
Subsequently, members of the public, including students and the elderly, frequent the lane on a daily basis at their own peril as it is strewn with lose construction materials such as roofing iron, metal off-cuts, nails, timber, etc.
The next morning, I sadly witnessed residents getting off their transport to trek through the “mess” carting loads of shopping bags all the way home.
Later, cement mixing was done which created a lot of “mess” along the entire lane, leaving students to trudge along the lane extremely carefully to prevent one from slipping and injuring one in the process.
To cut a long story short, imagine if there was a medical or fire emergency case?
The funny part is, the Levuka Town Council office is just a 3-minute stroll from the site.
It certainly boggles my mind why such was not monitored and stringent measures adopted to prevent recurrence after previous complaints?
In addition, cement slab covers, that were removed “ages” ago from the drains along the main street, lie strewn on the sides of the road and along the verandahs, not only inconveniencing the public but indeed a hazard as metal rods protrude from the sides of the slabs.
There’s more to add but I’ll just leave it at that as some don’t seem bothered at all.
Isa, our beloved World Heritage historical town.
Anthony Sahai, Levuka non-resident ratepayer, Suva
Stray dogs
Stray dogs will be with us until kingdom come.
And they are increasing.
We have sanctuaries which spend lots of money to house dogs, and they depend on donations.
Are they fighting a losing battle?
As for me I will be proposing to have Waiyavi’s name changed.
It shall be called Strayavi.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
No dumping
Driving past the Colo-i-Suva forest reserve, there’s a sign that reads — No dumping zone.
Made me wonder — does that imply that there can be dumping in some other areas of the reserve?
Why not just say — No dumping?
No wonder the once pristine forest reserve is quickly becoming a forest reserved for rubbish!
Isa!
Kiniviliame Keteca, Nausori
World event Hosting the 2019 International Federation Junior World Championship in Suva in June is a great achievement.
With more than 50 countries participating, it will pose a great challenge for Fiji.
An opportunity for our weightlifters to stamp their mark as we approach the Pacific Games.
Also a great show for our undiscovered talents that have just appeared on the scene.
Good Luck Fiji.
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu
Bus travel
My neighbour was denied travel on a bus, because the bus driver didn’t have any $2 cards available.
I remember the minister responsible, stating some time ago, that bus travel would be free, if the bus companies do not have these cards available.
So how can they deny travel?
Nigel Fiu, Owls Perch, Lautoka
Unlucky lions
The soccer tussle between Ba and Labasa, and Suva and Lautoka lived up to expectations.
Thanks to the “voice of soccer” and our top commentator Raymond Stoddart, I was able to listen to the live coverage.
Labasa were unlucky but Suva capitalised on the golden opportunity.
Apart from the penalty miss, Labasa missed numerous scoring opportunities and the Anand Sami-coached side must dig deep if we are to secure a spot for the O-League playoffs.
On the other hand, Nasinu and Tavua did not perform too bad!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Boys in white
The Suva football team showed another level of the proverbial “nine”.
Way to go, the “boys in white”.
Manoj Lal Patel, Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Hamilton 7s
Simply breathtaking!
Fiji has a storied history in rugby sevens world but this performance will rank among their finest performances.
They mesmerised the eagles with their speed of thought and deed like a stoat dancing around a defenceless rabbit.
Sunday night in Hamilton was very much a collective work of art.
Right from the first game they kept on the pace, even in the final when they were almost certain for a win, they kept on pressing the accelerator to pile up a huge margin.
The final was all about Fijian prowess, showcasing trademark skill, flair and speed.
It was almost a perfect Fijian team which by no means would be beaten on the day.
Pranil Ram, Votualevu, Nadi
Religion and education
It is sad and truly alarming to read our Prime Minister suggesting that teachers should not teach religious education even in Catholic schools (The Fiji Times January 30).
If education has nothing to do with the church, why the uproar?
He says this new policy is enhancing education.
I believe we know it is limiting and dumbing education down.
Saying black is white and even saying it often does not change its colour.
I believe religion adds meaning and purpose to life and gives the foundation for ethics, morality and citizenship that is missing from a program that does not go beyond economics and the god of money.
Fr Kevin McGuire, QE Drive, Suva
Parental influence
A lot is going on about education, teachers and the ministry.
The Prime Minister finally came out and set it straight that the focus has to be on education.
He also raised two critical points in one of his earlier addresses.
Firstly, someone at home should be monitoring the daily academic progress of his/her child.
Secondly, someone should be available for parent-teacher discussions whenever required.
It is no secret that the education system is not what it was during our school days.
In those days, children were able to succeed even when parents showed little interest.
It was because of the sheer input from the teachers.
Times have changed.
I believe now the responsibility burden has moved towards the parents.
Teaching has become a tough profession which many don’t appreciate.
It is a reality that for many parents, school holidays means noise and headaches while school days reflect relief and peace.
It is also a reality that many students arrive very early to school because they belong to working parents.
There is a corresponding effect in the afternoon when parents fail to pick their children on time, as late as after 5pm.
Focusing on their worldly duties, parents forget the influence they have on their children and education.
In the educational process, parents play a vital role.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Teaching of faith
Yes, the Prime Minister is correct when he stated that the “teaching of faith begins at home”.
For us Catholics, it continues throughout our Catholic schools into adulthood.
This present issue is most certainly about “our faith” first and foremost, as well as, our children’s education.
This was and is the purpose of setting up and managing our schools.
Our faith ethos is taught at home and our children are guided in everything learnt at school (both educational and spiritual).
We do not worship only on Sundays.
Our Catholic head of school is there to implement these special virtues and continue to nurture our children in faith and worship, by promoting our traditional school spirit/culture, so that they grow into responsible adults.
And they still have lots of time to learn, study and sit examinations set by the MoE.
Mr PM — learning ABC and 123s is not the “be all and end all” of a truly educated person.
Anne Wade, Nadi
Sevens and home
Does it make a difference not being able to travel abroad to watch the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series?
Well, judging by the Hamilton sevens last week, it seemed like we were at home.
The sea of blue dominated the stadium and Fiji fans made themselves at home.
One commentator remarked that it was more like the Fiji sevens tournament.
One can be sure that Fijian fans will flock to the Sydney Sevens this weekend.
Meanwhile, some rugby fans are still wondering how some of the new players have settled in so quickly compared with previous players who two seasons before they adapted to the demands of international sevens rugby.
For example, Derenalagi and Botitu have stepped up in terms of their performances quite soon.
All in all, the expectations will be high come this weekend but like coach Baber has hinted that humility is a key factor that they cannot forget.
Many fans travelling to Sydney from home and abroad will live up to traditions but taking vital supplies of Kava.
Looking forward to another sevens at home.
Be it in Fiji or Sydney, there will be many Fiji fans watching.
Floyd Robinson, Nasinu
