A low profile
While rugby fans are basking in glory at Fiji’s success against the NZ Maori, I’d urge all to keep a low profile as we prepare for this year’s RWC battle in Japan.
Courageous captain Waqaniburotu and our gladiators have entered the history books as the side to down the NZ Maori since the glorious days of Jo Levula’s 1962 troops that beat the NZ Maori at home.
Billed as a great rugby treat, an energised and spirited Flying Fijians outfit put aside the visitors.
Our attack was fluent, our defence was organised and our offloads were brilliant.
Thanks to the efforts put in by McKee and the coaching panel, our boys were physically and mentally prepared to confront the visitors who lacked the sharpness and armoury to match our committed and confident brigade.
However, more efforts need to be directed towards our line-outs.
The Flying Fijians left our shores for Rotorua, which is the heart and traditional home of Maori culture.
Playing in front of passionate and patriotic supporters the NZ Maori will add spice and flavour to their home game.
As I conclude, I thank the boys for breaking the losing streak and for making our beloved Fiji proud!
A special thanks to Ravai, Tuisue, Wise, Mata, Waqaniburotu, Kunatani, Veitokani, Volavola, Nakarawa and my “man of the match” Botia for the splendid effort!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Our good fortunes
As the boys look forward to the battle in Rotorua, I guess I’ll be that guy to raise the issue again about why the big wigs in the white house still have not capitalised on our good fortunes out in the paddock.
Why have we not gotten a major sponsor, we’ve won the inaugural gold medal in Rio, which started with the sowing of the seed in the 2015 RWC, which we are now reaping the harvest, all this done with the love for rugby.
So can the top dogs get off their high chairs and start investing in probably one of the top three revenue earners of our beautiful nation.
I had written earlier about creating more parks and grounds for our budding Jerrys, Mawi and Lomanis.
Remember captain Kolinisau and Jerry talking about starting off their rugby careers by playing touch rugby on the streets, still today nothing has changed.
Come on FRU the boys are doing their bit on the field, how about you do yours for the future of tomorrow.
But hey what do I know right, I’m just the common man.
Toso Viti.
Lawrence Wara,
Upgrade services
An article in The Fiji Times (15/07) titled “Simpson: We will fix taxi issue”, is interesting read especially when taxi operators are concerned about “unfair” competition from illegal transport operators.
I have witnessed taxi operators who would refuse to take passengers for various reasons such as road conditions, fish in people’s shopping, or when it rains they are choosy in terms of their passengers.
My point is, if they are complaining about illegal transport operators, they must first upgrade their services to the public for if they do the public will always choose them as priorities for transportation.
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Drug problem
How did things get this far, that hard drugs is being peddled by school students?
We’re even on Aljazeera news as a highway for drugs.
This cannot be an overnight problem.
This trade has really matured, I believe to reach this stage it must have taken well more than 10 years.
Don’t you think?
Steven Chandra, Suva
Exam system
I refer to the letter written by Raynav Chand (FT 13/06).
I understand that you are currently a school student.
Though, I fail to understand what your specific concerns are.
Obviously examinations will test the same curriculum to all students who fall in the same class and are subjected to the same lessons.
When it comes to education and examinations, there are many different things which needs consideration.
You have raised one of them.
Human beings have different capacities.
Any randomly chosen person will have an output dependent on his or her capacity.
Another is the story of the horse and the well.
Personally, the most important is hard work.
You are suggesting that examinations should be for gauging how well students understand taught concepts.
That’s exactly what examinations do.
What will your suggested better examination system achieve?
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Tint issue
Aha, so LTA is coming down hard on vehicles that have tinted windows.
Quote from the report FT 11/7.
“Motorists have been reminded that window tinting on the front window should not be less than 70 per cent, while the rear and side windows should not be less than 60 per cent visible light transmittance (VLT).
In a statement, LTA clarified that this meant that drivers’ front window could not be more than 30 per cent dark, while the side and rear windows should not be more than 40 per cent dark.
Thank you Mohammed for reminding us about government vehicles.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
7s teams win
Congratulations to our men’s and women’s teams for winning gold in Samoa.
I was impressed with the way our women’s team beat Australia and our men’s team outclassed Samoa in their own territory.
Samoa was coached by Tietjens and had big names like Solia, Motuga, Asofolau, Leilua, Samuelu, Alosio, Mealoi and Perez who featured on the 7s circuit but a new look Fiji team toppled them.
Thank you and congratulations for the win in Samoa team Fiji!
On the other hand, our Pearls had a disastrous outing with a string of heavy defeats: 85-29 to Jamaica and 90-35 to South Africa.
I wish the side all the best for the all-important match against Trinidad and Tobago!
Go Fiji Pearls!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
New Bond
I read in the New York Times online that English actress Lashana Lynch will play 007 in the new James Bond movie.
So I posted it on my Facebook page and it got a few reactions.
What floored me was what Vili said.
“Then what will she say — My name is Bond, Janes Bond.” Kaila!
Allen Lockington , Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Sports progress
I think all major sports which are struggling to produce results on the international stage need to study what Fiji rugby is doing.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Soccer player
There is no need for Mareko Vuli (FT 15/7) to go mental over my opinion piece on Megan Rapinoe, the US World Cup winning women’s soccer team captain.
It drew on the expert opinion of Christine Brennan, the sports columnist for USA Today, a respected commentator on ABC News, CNN, PBS NewsHour, and NPR, and best-selling author plus winner of Billie (Jean King) Award for Journalism.
I am guided in my thinking by such an intelligent person.
I wonder who Mareko is guided by?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Drug war
Educate our children against its use.
Legalise it with some control and utilise money on other worthy purpose.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Solar power
If EFL has to install solar power for its next renewable project, I suggest they hire the India-trained solar engineers.
I believe these grandma engineers will do the job for a fraction of the cost.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill was born on 30/11/1874, 52 days after Fiji was ceded to Great Britain.
He died on 24/1/1965.
Sir Winston was consistently ranked among the best British PMs in history because of his leadership of the country during World War II.
The World War II PM was also known for his eloquence, funny quotes and wittiest quips.
He once said: “A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen.”
A lady came up to him once and said, “Sir, you are drunk!”, to which he replied, “I am drunk today madam, and tomorrow I shall be sober but you will still be ugly”.
Sir Winston also once said, “Soccer is a gentlemen’s game played by a bunch of hooligans and rugby is a hooligan’s game played by a bunch of gentlemen.
Well for me, dreu Roy Krishna and dreu Jerry Tuwai are gentlemen through and through!
Pita K Nacuva, Griffith Place, Tamavua Ward, Suva
Deer farming
The Minister for Agriculture, Dr Mahendra Reddy, stated that there is an urgent need to clean-up livestock farms in Fiji and replace them with new pure breeds from overseas (FT 15/07).
While the proposition may sound pleasing and approving, it is easier said than done!
While we’re at it why not deer farming?
Venison is full of nutrients, it is leaner than regular beef and mutton and loaded with health benefits.
Deer meat is also a sustainable protein food that can aid in weight loss and help keep ones brain, muscles and immune system healthy.
Venison is even more healthier than chicken.
The first licence to farm deer in New Zealand was issued in 1970 and ever since they have become the number one source of farm-raised venison in the world with around 2000 farmers farming approximately 1 million deer.
The island of Wakaya in the Lomaiviti Group is the only place in Fiji where deer exists and they thrive really well on the island.
They breed like crazy and they taste really good.
I take stewed or grilled venison over any other meat by far.
Deer is not native to New Zealand and Australia but was introduced and farming them has been very successful.
The existence and development of deer on Wakaya proves that deer can be farmed in Fiji.
Let’s try farming some deer, dear Mr Reddy!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Taxi issue
According to the CEO of LTA, Lautoka taxi operators are complaining about “unfair competition” from illegal operators and zone taxis. (FT July 15).
When the taxi lottery was organised, the Lautoka Residence and Ratepayers Association held discussions about the above issue but some Lautoka taxi operators said it was OK to have more taxis.
When I was little I was reminded that it’s no use crying over spilt milk when you yourself spilled it.
The Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association had a fruitful meeting with the president of the Fiji Taxi Association regarding illegal taxi and illegal private vehicle problems but unfortunately most taxi operators didn’t show any support.
The taxi operators who are complaining need to see the need for taxis at night, and after 7pm.
Most taxidrivers go home and the zone taxis and private vehicles provide the service.
I am not saying that illegal is right or wrong but what I am trying to say is if Lautoka taxi operators can provide 24-hour service then people will not use the illegal private vehicles as taxis.
Narayan Reddy, President, Lautoka Residence and Ratepayers Association
