Pick the best only
It is now absolutely crystal clear. The National Championship results speak for themselves.
July 4: 24 – 39 Wales;
July 11: 7 – 73 England; and
July 18: 17 – 33 Scotland.
(Flying Fijians led 17 – 7 at half time). Fiji’s performance and results speak many negative volumes. This is so humiliating. Did the Fiji Rugby Union in their insatiable “thirst” for a preferred iTaukei, back the wrong head coach? He made several unsuccessful attempts for the top job. Fact or fiction? His predecessor was unceremoniously “discharged”. FRU’s decision and selection of head coach has come back to bite us hard. Shamefully too. Respectfully, I am bitterly disappointed. (Selected team members must be asked their opinions, what failed us). It is now clearly known in World Rugby, Senirusi Seruvakula was made acting head coach under controversial circumstances. European sports commentators are making these statements openly. Why did it come to this? Where do we go from here? This is a bitter pill to swallow. Pick the best; Leave the rest. Why change a winning formula that was working very progressively? This is definitely a case of two steps forward; and fifty steps backwards. “Sa very yawa dina saraga. Au druka vakaca.” Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Positive mind-set
The rugby championship is now done and dusted and our Fijian 15s team has had a taste of playing as a Tier 1 nation. We have watched the games live on TV and also there were a lot of sideline commentaries of who, what, when and where from keyboard coaches. Now, let’s focus on the journey forward and wish the team management and Fiji rugby a positive mind-set. Thank you also to FBC TV for bringing the games live right into our respective houses. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
An uphill battle against Scotland!
The Flying Fijians sit last on the Southern Hemisphere points table without a point. After losing 24-39 to Wales, the Flying Fijians were hammered 8-73 by England. After beating Argentina 47-38 in Cordoba in a seven-try masterclass, Scotland lost to South Africa 28-42. The Bravehearts had been in exceptional form. Gregor Townsends men played well against the Springboks and at the iconic Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, they delivered their best, thumping Fiji 33-17. Despite making 14 changes to the team that lost to South Africa, Scotland proved too strong for Fiji which led 17-7 at the break. Scotland had too much in the tank against Fiji, and our boys conceded 26 unanswered points in the second spell. Basic errors, missed tackles, poor kicking, lack of communication and match fitness towards the last quarter led to Fiji’s downfall. A lot of work is required as we play away games to France, Italy and Ireland in November. The last time Fiji and Scotland met was last year and Fiji recorded a convincing 29-14 win over Scotland in a bruising encounter in Suva. Our try scorers were Tevita Ikanivere, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Jiuta Wainiqolo while for Scotland Kyle Rowe and Tom Jordan scored tries. In 2017, Fiji also beat Scotland 27-22 at home for the first time in 19 years in a thrilling rugby test. Ben Volavola kicked over 17 points, and fans were thrilled by two exciting tries which were scored by Peceli Yato and Leone Nakarawa. This time around, Fiji’s performance was far from the 2017 and 2025 scintillating victories. Rajnesh Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
WAF breach
What’s with the systems of service to our people when it comes to essential services? I recently experienced a reconnection breach by WAF during my visit to Fiji, and it is beyond frustrating, it is annoying! How can you have policies and procedures in your charter, but do not live up to it? I have some suggestions for WAF and other essential service providers: Give the people 24 hours to settle their accounts before you disconnect their service. Once accounts are settled, honour your part and reconnect services within 24 hours. Do provide service reference numbers so the people have a guarantee that their reconnection is guaranteed within the 24- hour window. Fijian ministries, ministers, PS of departments and decision makers need to do better for the people. Let’s stop worrying about other world issues, and let’s focus on improving what needs to be improved at home. Vani Veikoso Shenzhen
Danger lurks!
On Saturday morning, July 18, 2026, after buying my copy of The Fiji Times, I stopped at the Westpac ATM RB Patel Jetpoint at about 9am, and as I headed to my pharmacy for repeat prescription medication following a recent unexpected scary asthma attack, I was confronted by an adult iTaukei male, well into his 30s. He walked straight up to me. These words rang out loud and clear: “Hey, why are you looking down. (Then the swear words rang out). MJ; MJ; MJ! I stepped off the footpath; onto the road; ignored him and proceeded on my way. This experience was not pleasant. Our roads are laced with “abnormal” and “drugged” pedestrians — on occasions. Such experiences are scary. To all pedestrians along Martintar, please exercise due caution. Danger lurks when you least expect it. Police officers on-the-beat are few and far between. These days they are hardly seen, until something untoward happens. As a surviving betrayed senior FNPF pensioner, I share this piece of news. Take all care. Be alert. Stay safe. You never know when you could be easily hurt, emotionally. Our roads can also be unsafe. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
USP lecture
Dr Naren Prasad’s lecture rightly points that “economic discussions today often focus on inflation, debt, tourism arrivals and annual budgets”. It is indisputable when Dr Prasad further states that Government with its policies should ensure that “growth creates meaningful work, develops skills, raises productivity and gives young people confidence that they can build successful futures at home”. The whole article is quite enlightening. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Pedestrian crossing
There is a very urgent need for a pedestrian crossing along Fletcher Rd adjacent to MGM High School. Imagine if the police traffic officers and teachers are not there for some reason. Asish Vinay Prasad Park Road, Raiwasa, Suva
World Cup campaign
What is the status of our 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign? If the Flying Fijians’ performances during the 2026 Nations Championship Cup is to be used as a benchmark, then this not only raises more questions but indicates that we are miles behind schedule. The humiliating defeat against England is like a bitter pill to swallow and offers perhaps the biggest wake-up call. Let’s hope that our rugby authorities engage in some indepth reflections and make the necessary changes required to bring us back on par by the time we land in the Land Down Under for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Whichever government
Whichever government forms in the upcoming election, either the former Fiji First members with a new political party, PAP, SODELPA, NFP, Unity or FLP, whichever one comes as a government, I believe the public will not care, as long as you do what you have promised. I’ve been living along the Coral Coast and I have seen many people struggling. In short, no economic growth. It’s only whom you recognise. My main concern is about minimum wage rate for all to survive. I challenge all the government ministers get yourself on foot and survive on the minimum wage rate for a year. Struggle is real but solution is available which, I believe, government ministers don’t want to accept. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu
We need a turbo boost!
At halftime, with the scoreboard reading 17–7, it looked as though the Flying Fijians had grown an extra pair of wings. Even during the crucial period when they were reduced to 14 men, they displayed courage, flair and a level of intensity that had Scotland struggling to contain them. Then came the second half and a reminder of how quickly momentum can swing in international rugby. The coach isn’t on the field, but he sees exactly what every supporter sees: the avoidable offsides, the handling errors, the lapses in positioning and the penalties that gift possession and momentum to the opposition. Those simple mistakes frustrate the coaching staff every bit as much as they frustrate the faithful watching from the sidelines. What makes this all the more tantalising is that Fiji doesn’t lack talent. It possesses an abundance of it. The Flying Fijians have the athleticism, creativity and physicality to defeat any nation on their day. The difference between winning and falling agonizingly short is often not brilliance, but discipline. Imagine this team maintaining 80 minutes of razor-sharp focus. Imagine eliminating the unforced errors that so often undo their magnificent work. If they can master the basics with the same passion they display in attack, they won’t simply compete with the world’s best — they will become one of them. When Fiji plays with discipline, purpose and relentless intensity, they’re a terrifying prospect. They attack with the force of a Fijian spear — direct, fearless and aimed straight at the heart. Few teams relish facing that version of the Flying Fijians. The challenge is no longer about proving they have the talent. The world already knows they do. The challenge is proving they can sustain it for the full 80 minutes. That’s the difference between being admired as giant-killers and being respected as genuine world-beaters. The Flying Fijians don’t need an extra pair of wings but a turbo boost to the discipline of the crew on the flight deck for the full 80 minutes of the journey. Colin Deoki Australia
World Cup soccer
The fans of the FIFA 26 World Cup bronze medal match were treated to a feast of 10 goals thriller. The match between England and France was a game of two halves. Three lions came out hungry and hunted 4 in 45 minutes. Rice parboiled the French with a sublime finish within three minutes, tall timber Konsa added another one in the 18th minute, the talented youngster, Bukayo Saka slotted the third and again in the added time of first half for a commanding 4-0 lead. The French were in sixes and sevens, however, their captain Mbappe continued to play with a smile and encouraged his brigade to fire back. And fired they did. Early in the second half, they sliced the lions to cut the deficit by scoring three. Touch wood, I thought the lions would be left to licking their wounds again. I was feeling the heat in the cold room, my heart in my mouth, my throat dry. Thanks to Saka, who converted the penalty with ease to give England a 5-3 lead, I got my voice back. But not for long, as France pulled one back in added time. Brilliant Bellinhham, who had come in as a replaced, sealed the deal for England 6 – 4. The match set records as well. It was England’s first World Cup bronze medal win, Saka took away the match ball and Mbappe increased his World Cup goals to 22 and is the highest goal scorer in 2026 WC with 10 goals. Fingers crossed, he will take the golden boot! Arun Prasad Dilkusha, Nausori
