Semi Radradra, if only
There seems to be a plethora of expert analysis on our Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit. I guess everyone has had his/her own version of what went wrong versus England. Here’s why we lost! Yeah, yet another analysis, albeit a more real one! The best player on the planet Semi Radradra was put on the wing to wait for the ball so he could do something. But then the correction was made in the second half as we were chasing the game, and Radradra was brought to the midfield. That’s when the game changed and we had a chance all of a sudden. However, that drop goal killed it. I thought, that’s not a man’s way to win a game of brutality, but then, drop goals are legit, whether one deems it manly or otherwise. When you win because of a drop goal, it’s all good, but falling behind to that drop goal brings out the expletives. You do sense a sad soul writing this letter, don’t you? Whatever one thinks, we would have been sharpening our studs for the Springboks had Radradra started in midfield. Still, it would be tough replacing Simon as gaffer. Donald Singh Suva
Government progress
One of the major threats facing any government is the erosion of trust between citizens and government. A “crisis of confidence” that the government can no longer be counted on to deliver what it says it is going to do. Our nation is experiencing the importation of labour from overseas due to the recent lack in our local markets. Majority of our young men and women are being absorbed into the Australian and New Zealand labour markets which our government is embracing. Even appropriately well qualified professionals and academics. This clearly shows the level of creativity, provision and proactivation platforms our government is not accommodating, as it should. The power of a consistent focus of specific priorities cannot be underestimated, as it allowed the government to illustrate its own priorities and its goals to citizens. Such clear alignment of priorities, outcomes and delivery lead to tangible outputs. In essence, citizens could see progress. We are what we do, not what we are going to do. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Termite infestation
Lautoka City Council and government authorities who were responsible for felling trees, have left them rotting, attracting termite infestation in Lautoka suburbs. Tree branches have also been trimmed to avoid damages to power lines. These branches were not removed and have been infested with termites, visible during this spawning season. Termite infested houses have left their owners forking out for costly repair works. Also, houses owned by government incurred high costs of repairs over the past many years. Currently, many of those occupying these quarters have temporarily moved out to allow massive maintenance to their quarters. With termite spawning season, I urge the relevant authorities to destroy all infested tree trunks and branches. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
Neglected roads
The year is coming to an end but there has been no effort made in improving the road condition at the Saru Back Road and Tawatawa area. Probably this is the first time in 10 months that the roads, from the Saru mosque to the Saru Water Treatment Plant and beyond, have not been graded. As such, the thin upper layer of soil and gravel has been washed from heavy downpours and now there are large, jagged stones all over these roads. This situation has been compounded due to the fact that the drain adjacent to the reservoir is filled with sediments, and when excess water from the reservoir is flushed out from huge pipes, it spills over the road creating rill erosion and eventually gullies – believe me, this is worse than pot-holes. Drivers have to drive at snails’ pace (except for lorry and company vehicle drivers who don’t give a hoot to the impact on vehicles) until they reach the tarsealed road just before the Saru river. And this is when drivers speed up to make up for lost time. The damage caused to our vehicles is an added stress. To cut the story short, where’s the change for the better that was promised? On the contrary, it’s gotten worse. It would be much appreciated if officials responsible for road maintenance act swiftly to restore and bring back these roads to a standard that is worthy to drive on. Azeem Ud Dean Lautoka
Major outage
There was a major outage on Wednesday afternoon, October 18. This caused a huge inconvenience. I happened to be at Aspen Lautoka Hospital from 12.40pm until almost 5pm to see the country’s top urologist. I tried desperately to reach home some time around 3-ish. It was all futile. As of now, I have not seen nor heard reasons for this massive, wholesale outage. Simply not good enough Telstra Digicel. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Fiji coach
The proposed departure of Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui has both its positives and negatives. If he is adamant to vacate this position, he must be thanked for his services, given the congratulatory accolades that he deserves and wished successful endeavours in his future. Fiji did extremely well in this World Cup campaign, reaching the quarter-finals, but fell short in two critical games that could have been won, maybe. One must question however, the style of rugby that Fiji played, seemingly a typical northern hemisphere type game of lots of high kicks when in possession, instead of the traditional style of Fijian running rugby where they seem to excel. Fiji kicked away too many possession instead of using the ball in our traditional style of running, which I think, creates lots of opportunities. Please promote Seruvakula to head coach the Flying Fijians, a very good exponent of using Fiji’s greatest asset, running rugby! His record speaks for itself. Toso Viti, toso. William Gardiner Balawa St, Lautoka
Brave efforts
Unfair and biased referees, as now being “exposed” including the 16th man, with the Flying Fijians’ nemesis in our gallant campaign in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. We fell just short. I hate pointing fingers at referees but many millions of rugby fans throughout the world, saw the same, through very similar lenses. I thank our captain courageous, for speaking up especially in the post match interview against England, in the final pool play. Several fouls against us seemed to go “un-noticed” and not sanctioned. There was much unfair bias towards our national team at the RWC 2023. The close results against Wales, Portugal and England “speak volumes” as public perceptions confirm. Almost all Fijians are very proud of our “cauravous” brave efforts. Come RWC 2027 in Australia, the Flying Fijians will be a greater force to reckon with, then. The rugby world is on firmer and clearer notice. We will not be an easy pushover. Furthermore, a big shout out to Pacific Aust Sports for the huge $52 million sponsorship of the Fiji Drua and Fijiana Drua over next four years. This support is massive. We cannot thank you enough. Fiji is indebted to you, immensely. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Team arrives home!
Just like the great 1987 RWC coaches the late Josateki Savou and the late George Simpkin plus the 2007 RWC coach Ilivasi Tabua, also known as the Human Skewer, 2023 RWC coach Simon Raiwalui will go down in the history books, having led the FIJI Water Flying Fijians into our third top eight finish. Hence, after turning heads and making a bold statement, Raiwalui and the brave Flying Fijians landed at the Nadi International Airport last night, amidst a warm reception and huge welcome. The boys deserve a well-earned break as they put on a spectacular performance at the RWC in France. Fiji lost in a close tussle to Six Nations giants Wales and England and ended the 69-year-old losing drought against the Wallabies. The mighty outing has earned our nation, with less than a million population, accolades, and respect. We have become the talking point and teams will treat the Flying Fijians with respect and dignity. I’m pleading with World Rugby to give us competitive matches against formidable and resourceful Tier One nations. I salute Raiwalui and his team management and our warriors for making our tiny Pacific Island nation proud. We were the only Tier Two nation in the quarters at the expense of Tier One nations (Australia and Scotland). Finally, I’ll fail if I do not acknowledge the support and commitment of the players’ families and spouses, for they made endless sacrifices while their loved ones were proud Fijian ambassadors during the RWC! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Students’ behaviour
Hopefully the new Minister for Education who is a former member of the disciplinary force will change the student’s negative and bad behaviour. How some students conduct themselves nowadays warrant a hiding. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Youth leaders
I hope the youths of Fiji can gain more representation in government boards and leadership roles to shape a brighter future for our nation. It’s crucial that they are given opportunities to contribute their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. As we pray for their increased exposure, let’s also actively support policies and initiatives that promote youth involvement in decision-making. This will not only empower the next generation but also lead to a more inclusive and dynamic Fiji. Iliesa M Suva
Problem solvers
And we all thought the new government would be problem solvers for the Fijian public instead of creating problems for themselves. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Head coach
Ben Ryan with Simon’s entire back room staff will do it. Don’t they say, not to fix what’s not broken! So when Simon leaves, the only change could be Ben Ryan. Donald Singh Suva
Heart breaking
Watching world news is interesting and exciting but there are times when it is simply heart breaking. Observing reports of the women, children and elderly who have or are suffering from the recent war in the Middle East is not only heartbreaking but too painful to watch. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Rugby referees
It seems to me that at the Rugby World Cup tournament there is no qualified black referee internationally where it is now peculiar that the international rugby board is either racist or it is simply a white man’s club. What a shame World Rugby. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Unconscious bias
People are being polite when they refer to some referees’ decisions at the Rugby World Cup as ‘unconscious bias’. To me it’s more like ‘conscious bias’ towards third world countries. Our head coach Simon Raiwalui has been very diplomatic whereas our captain Waisea Nayacalevu has fearlessly called it what it was. Maybe if we had a good kicker we could have won the game. Wonder whether our FRU will be making any complaints to WR about the calibre of its referees. As for our Flying Fijians they did superbly well. A force to be reckoned with come 2027 no doubt about it. Norman Yee Martintar, Nadi
