So close for the Drua, so far for 7s
For Fiji rugby fans, I believe the great performance by our Fijian Drua team going down 20-28 to the ACT Brumbies was a relaxant and pain killer after our Fiji 7s team did not qualify for the cup quarter-finals at the Singapore 7s. Our Fijian Drua played well and nearly caused an upset. The home crowd were expecting the Brumbies to thrash the Fijian Drua after winning against the undefeated Hurricanes at home last week. Our Fijian Drua have dropped to 8th place while the Highlanders have moved up to 7th place. This week our boys play the Western Force who sit at the bottom of the points ladder and the Force will want to win their home game. Our Fijian Drua can win their first away game this season if they play their hearts out as a team, improve on their mistakes and play their own brand of rugby. Toso Drua toso. SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA Kattar Singh Rd, Tacirua, Nasinu
Gutsy Drua
The Fijian Drua gained a lot of admiration for a gutsy performance against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night. The Drua scrum was their mainstay in a game they could have won with their physical intensity and a stack of possession and territorial advantage. I thought Isaiah Amstrong-Ravula played a pivotal role despite not getting clean balls from the forwards. And he was impeccable with his goal kicking. In the end though, the reserves saved what could have been a very cold wintry night for Brumbies coach, Stephen Larkham. SAMU RAILOA Nadi
Near miss
The near miss on Saturday night proves that the Fijian Drua does the big correctly, but gets the little things wrong. If these little things or basics get corrected, I think the Super Rugby Pacific trophy will find an island home. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Too late
A brace from Wallabies centre Len Ikitau led the ACT Brumbies to a hard-fought 28-20 victory over the hard-running Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to keep their hopes of a home semi-final.
The Brumbies started on a high note, taking a 14-0 lead. However, as the game progressed and the Drua gained courage and the go to fight the battle, the hosts ceded the momentum, but managed to hold on against the fast-finishing Fijians. It was disappointing to see the Drua struggle to maintain possession with handling impacted by the cold and wet conditions, but vocal Fijian support spurred the boys back into the game and we were opportunities away from claiming a historic victory. Had we taken three points from the penalties given, the boys would have beaten the Brumbies.
The Drua, which left it too late, will rue their missed opportunities with the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika nipping at their heels, but the outing versus the Brumbies was one of the best away from home. I thank the Drua for the grand game! Toso Drua toso! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Minimum wage
Our workforce can’t even keep to time! Our workforce don’t turn up for work! Our workforce is not skilled enough! Our workforce takes extra long lunch breaks! Our workforce can’t perform to match the demand! $6 an hour would mean one person manning a three-man post without assistants and the manager filling in the position when that employee either doesn’t show, goes on leave or is burnt out! And, Our economy can’t afford it! These are some of the remarks that come to the mind of employers of MSME businesses with the new minimum wage proposal. As usual, it’s another way of the rich becoming richer because they can afford it, with the poor actually closing business and working for the rich. If you want to be really fair and not create an economic crisis in Fiji, make the $6 an hour rate the minimum wage rate of SME’s and larger enterprises and prove this fact because the fact is, the MSME’s will be left to absorb those that will be laid off from the larger businesses at $4 an hour because they will surely feel the pinch. Lastly, can we always factor into our wage rate increase or decrease formula our ability to live beyond our means and see where that rightfully fits! NOLEEN BILLINGS Savusavu
$6 an hour
Why $6, why not $10 for minimum wage? I am sure those who are asking for $6 are getting more than that so why should the poor get only $6? Make it $10 and let’s see if the small and medium business survive with the big fish? NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
Jobs for life
Union leaders in Fiji seem to have jobs for life. We hear about the same old people recycled as union leaders for decades. I am sure the election of these union leaders is very democratic. I will let those in the know to comment on this. What have these union leaders done for the workers of Fiji in all these decades? The workers should be asking these questions. This paper seems to be giving these leaders undue oxygen about their push to set the national minimum wage at $6 per hour. Why $6, why not $10. Where did they pull this number out of? Can they please tell us in a one line letter? JAN NISSAR Seoul, South Korea
Bridging mechanism
Is there a formal bridging mechanism between the Coke Games and representation at national and international levels? Having our own National Sports Academy comes to mind. Losing those unearthed natural talents would be a waste, particularly where academic excellence is lacking and the numbers of unemployed youths increasing. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Leap of faith
Vijay Madhavan tells us as a Christian “my reasoning is that only divine intervention will clean up the mess this world is in (ST 5/5)”. Actually, it is a leap of faith which in philosophy is the act of believing in or accepting something not on the basis of reason (Wikipedia). Vijay Madhavan has the right to believe whatever he wants to believe. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
The irony
Heavy rain equals a lot of flowing water, equals siltage and blockages of inlet pipes, dams and reservoirs, equals no water in the taps. The ironic conclusion is heavy rain means no water in the faucet! EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Olympics gold
As far as I can recall, this was the first 7s tournament that Fiji lost in pool play and didn’t play in quarter-finals. Olympics is around the corner and the talk around the tanoa is all about 7s gold at the Olympics. What is the plan FRU? NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
Trade union
Voreqe Bainimarama’s regime under the guidance of Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum attempted to get rid of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, its leadership and its membership. Today, FTUC continues to be the voice of workers building on its strength of unity. While Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum contemplate on their future. DAN URAI Lautoka
Clean the mess
Vijay Madhawan (ST, 5/5) is absolutely correct that only divine intervention can clean the mess this world is in. Anyone not agreeing to his opinion should simply advise us who else can do this job? How and when? BHARAT MORRIS Gold Coast, Australia
Poor show
It is very disappointing that every other team in World Rugby 7s competitions, women and men, have improved their games considerably with the exception of Fiji. EMOSI BALEI Suva
Human suffering
Is Israel trying to exterminate Palestinians? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Olympics dream
Gone are the days when Fiji 7s could go on a scoring spree. Now, our men’s team are beaten at will by any 7s team. Osea Kolinisau with his coaching style is not effective and there is nothing absolutely wrong with the players. There is a time for their winning streak and a time for losing, but trying to win the 7s Olympics medal is a farfetched dream and unrealistic. TUKAI LAGONILAKEBA Nadi
From bad to worse
The Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team has gone from bad to worse. The team finished bottom of the points table after losing to the USA (14-33) and Great Britain 14-19. The boys beat Ireland 26-19, but because Ireland lost and secured a bonus point, they qualified as the third best seed. Ironically, Ireland made it into the semis alongside Team Great Britain. This shows the standard of competition on the SVNS WRSS circuit, and after watching Fiji’s lethargic performance, I’m convinced that our boys are not ready for the battle against the big 7s names. Questions were raised about the fitness levels of our players, as the body positioning of the players and decision making showed they lacked mental and physical preparation. Some players in the team are past their peak, and this raises questions about the selection criteria. Selection must be done on current and not past performance and reputation. It’s a pity to see that the men’s team has gone from bad to worse!
On the other hand, I salute the women’s team for making their first semi-final on the circuit. Job well done Saiasi Fuli and the Fijiana! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Singapore loss
It was certainly disappointing. I believe “Bu Kini” would have been a much better mentor for the boys, but I will limit my views on this subject because as per some social media keyboard warriors, “Kai-india no rugby”. Anyway, good luck in Paris! NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Waste of money
More than $200,000 has been allocated for the 145th Girmit Day Celebration. To my knowledge, this is total or complete wastage of money. Last year such big celebrations were held all over the country and money spent, but nothing accounted for. What did we gain, nothing. Who will be there for nice tea and lunch with the big guns, the politicians, big names and other well known people. I feel this money should go to the surviving Girmityas. Some are in Old Peoples’ Homes, some neglected by their children and some don’t have enough food. They should cater for the needs of the elderly, not only pack them in a bus and bring them to the celebration centre, garland them (with the cheapest one) and give them lunch and say goodbye. Find out the needs of the elderly who survived the hard conditions and provide them with their basic needs. Who will enjoy the celebrations? The young who will be performing. PARAS NAIDU Lautoka
