Loss to France hard to digest
The FIJI Water Flying Fijians versus France was worth watching but the loss was hard to digest. Ironically, Fiji dominated possession 57 per cent to the Les Bleus 43 per cent. We made 137 carries compared to 80 carries by the hosts. Our players made 903 metres, while France made 598 metres. Down 21-0, the boys showed mental toughness to claw their way back into the game. However, we lacked that killer instinct and experience to control the tempo. We had to slow things down and plot the opposition downfall, but we fell into their trap. We dominated the game based on statistics, but our ill-discipline stood out like a sore thumb. We were not clinical enough. We were poor at the breakdown. The boys showed that they have what it takes to beat England and France, but they must be ruthless and clinical at decision making, be disciplined at the breakdown and take opportunities. I believe it’s high time Mick Byrne developed his ‘bomb squad’. If England can do it, why can’t Fiji! Against France, we took long to settle and within the second quarter the Les Bleus were up 21-0. We can’t afford this against Tier One teams. However, the side scored three breathtaking tries that brought fans to their feet. The one that Jiuta Wainiqolo scored was just a beauty! That offload from Pita Gus Sowakula was outrageous and incredible! The basketball and chess pass over the top was just pure class. It can only be delivered by a Flying Fijian. Now as we await Spain, it’s vital that we get a win and hope to sneak into the top eight. We have a good chance to overtake Scotland and Australia, provided they lose their Tests. The boys have showed that Fiji is no longer a pushover, but a genuine contender. I’d love a Test against Ireland next year. To the boys, hold your heads high. Thank you, Flying Fijians, for doing our tiny nation proud in Bordeaux which is passionate when it comes to rugby! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Go Fiji, go
Ironically we won all facets of the stats in our game against the plucky French side except the scoreboard? We won the territory and possession battle, our tackle count was lower, we were even on penalties conceded, so where did we go wrong? At 21-21 and again on that 60th minute we started to concede penalties and the French didn’t panic but took two shots at goal to lead by 6 points. We were still in the hunt until we lost a crucial line out and conceded a try in the 72nd minute. Twinkle toe Wainiqolo came close to a try but the inevitable happened, we lost possession again and again and 80 minutes on the clock game! Boy oh boy another heart breaking loss, close but agony. When will it be our finest hour again as we battle to conquer this last hurdle of play. Ravouvou and Co let’s focus on Spain the unpredictable. SHALWYN PRASAD Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
CWM Hospital service
There has been a lot of criticism of the CWM Hospital and the service provided there. I must say the infrastructure does need a lot work. But the service I received was second to none. Recently I had a pacemaker implanted. The service provided by Dr Shain Hussein and his staff including the clerks, nurses and the sisters was just too good. After the surgery, I stayed there overnight in the CCU Ward and was released to go home the very next afternoon, together with three other patients. I am also a patient at the CWM Urology Department and the service and attention provided there by Dr Rajeev Patel and his team is superb. Vinaka CWM team. Vijay P Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
Investing in streetlights
Well-lit roads aren’t a luxury. They’re a basic safety requirement for any country that values the lives of its motorists and pedestrians. The question isn’t whether we deserve streetlights on all major roads across our main islands — it’s why this has taken so long to become a national priority. The cost of nationwide installation would depend on road length, terrain and technology used, but the principle remains simple: safer roads reduce accidents, improve transport efficiency and strengthen public confidence. These are returns that far outweigh the upfront expense. Streetlights are not the privilege of developed nations. They are the foundation of a functioning, modern society. If we can debate large public projects and long-term reforms, surely we can agree that lighting our highways should not sit on a wish-list. If funding is the barrier, then the conversation must turn honestly to revenue. A return to a 15% VAT rate is one option — but only if the public can trust that the additional revenue will be transparently invested in visible, essential infrastructure like streetlights. Investing in streetlights is investing in lives. Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Unlamented victim
It is indeed sad (FT 14/11/25) that the people of Macuataiwai have been forced to leave their island by rising sea level. Indeed, the island, which used to be the home of the Tui Macuata, has been steadily depopulating for many years. One unfortunate consequence of this migration is the loss of a unique language. The language of Macuataiwai is very different from that of the nearby Macuata coast, resembling the Gonedau language of the islands of Galoa, Tavea and Yaqaga far to the west in Bua province. For example, ‘what is your name’ on the Macuata coast is ‘o cei a yacamu?’, but in Macuataiwai it is ‘o sei omu yasa?’; ‘a child’ in coastal Macuata is ‘duga a lalai’, but in Macuataiwai it is ’tila a driadria’. When I was doing linguistic research in Macuata many years ago, I struggled to find more than a handful of people who could speak Macuataiwai. Today I would guess that it is extinct. So, another victim of sea level rise, and one which few realise or mention. The people of Macuataiwai may be able to return to their yavutū, but their language is probably lost for ever. Paul Geraghty USP, Suva
Dump fire
It is almost five weeks now and I am sure most io the rubbish at the Vunato dump site would have all been burned by now. The rubbish capacity would surely have increased now. The Department of Environment has been quiet about the toxic smoke which is still visible from a distance. Some of our government ministers will be asking for help in the form of cash in the name of climate change, forgetting that the second city in Fiji is suffering from deadly gas from the rubbish dump. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Loving neighbours
Sanya Cathreine writing on “Love thy neighbour not judge them” (FT 31/10) speaks out that you cannot judge a person by his physical appearance but by what is inside him. “Love thy neighbour but don’t get caught.”- Terry Lawyer. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Democratic socialism
I refer to Jope Tarai’s opinion, Saturday (FT 15/11) on Zohran Mamdani’s “Democratic Socialism”. We are aware of the fact that excessive ‘freebies’ (called vote buying) given by Welfare States (governments) will lead to unnecessary debts which people will have to pay later. We paid 15% VAT to reduce national debt. To me Zohran Mamdani’s “Democratic socialism” is like ripened watermelon – green from outside, Communist red inside. Rakesh Chand Sharma Adelaide, Australia
Exam terms
I believe MOE should review the exam dates so no exams during cyclone and flooding season commencing in November. Start and cease terms early. More brainstorming is needed too. Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
Immunity clause
Mr Prime Minister, remove the immunity clause that is protecting treasonists so that you, your cohorts and everyone else are treated fairly under the rule of law. AREKI DAWAI Suva
All blacked!
Mr Lingham and I exchanged a few messages during and after the All Blacks lethargic game against the spirited England side sharing the below par, error ridden game, something that we would like to forget immediately. The Grand Slam is finally over as the ABs were beaten in all facets of the game. England were simply superb, playing the game to the All Blacks at pace and power and the masterclass George Ford’s pivotal role made the difference, winning the man of the match award and the two drop goals aided the strategy England had to convert every opportunity into points. All Blacks are now back to the drawing board and in the process will lose a few key points in the rugby rankings. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Rugby, Fijian pride
Fijian pride on the world stage!
As I read John Kamea’s article in The Sunday Times (16/11) titled ‘Fiji girl becomes BBC journalist’, I alluded to an earlier article published on February 24, 2022, by Fleur Mealing titled ‘How I became a journalist’. Fleur shared the inspirational journey of Fiji-born Vandana Bhan who had always wanted to be a reporter and had always been fascinated by the news from a young age. Vandana shared that her mother loved to remind her how she used to wake up in the middle of the night as a toddler and just watch the BBC news, which played at that time on TV in Fiji. Vandana described her journey with Radio Tarana, where she started hosting their weekly current affairs show every Sunday afternoon and interviewed members of parliament and other community leaders. When she left university in 2019, TVNZ approached her to join them, and she did not hesitate to do so. About her job, Vandana shared that it was amazing as she got to share some amazing stories and meet incredible people daily. The hardest part of her job was that it came with a lot of responsibility, and it could often be stressful if you got too involved in a story and wanted the best for the issue/person, but it was just not happening. Vandana has done Fiji and Nadawa proud. Her mum’s drive and steadfastness in academics were the reason she was so focused on studies while growing up. I’m thankful that deep down in her heart, she is proud of her Fiji roots. Mesmerised by the confidence of the BBC reporters, her passion for journalism started, and this is a lesson to budding journalists. She had a timely advice for young Fijians- embrace education! I loved this line, “Don’t wait for the opportunity to come walking to you on the silver platter, you have to go and seek it yourself.” All the best, Vandana! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Swing low
England didn’t just win — they outclassed the All Blacks. George Ford was ice-cold under pressure, drilling drop goals with clinical precision and swinging the match firmly England’s way by halftime. Their leadership was sharp, composed, and ruthless. That is what top-tier Test rugby looks like. For the All Blacks, the Grand Slam dream is gone. A proud rugby nation now finds itself clinging to a consolation match against Wales. The uncomfortable truth? An 80-minute performance — once the gold standard of New Zealand rugby — now feels like a survival exercise. Moments of brilliance are no longer enough. Not in today’s game. Not against opposition that has caught up and, on nights like this, surpassed us. 2025 is a chapter that ends with more questions than answers. The focus shifts to 2026 and a brutal six-week campaign in South Africa. The Springboks will not wait for us to find our identity. So the real challenge stands: what kind of All Blacks will show up? A team rebuilding, or a team reborn?The jersey deserves the latter. Rahul Krishna Auckland, New Zealand
Diabetes challenge
There are reports that Fiji has the highest rate of diabetes per capita than any other nation. We are told that some 16.6% of the population suffer from diabetes. This could be regarded as a great achievement by some to complement the two gold and one silver Olympic medal in the Mickey Mouse game. What the authorities do not know or realise is that a bigger reason for the spread of NCDs are the grog dopeys of Fiji. No one seems to acknowledge or realise that grog dopeys are Fiji’s biggest problem above anything else. I suspect it has to do with tradition and culture. You will find that a vast majority of grog dopeys and their partners suffer from some form of Hepatitis. All they have to do is test a sample of grog dopeys and their partners to confirm. Another problem is, everyone and their dog is too busy working out their entitlements and their travel allowances and spending less time on the things that matter. Jan Nissar Lautoka
