RWC takeout
Malo boys, considering you only came together this year under Simon Raiwalui, you have done us proud.
Moving forward, FRU must at the highest echeleons of World Rugby begin advocating we will not tolerate substandard and bias referring standards anymore!
Please put WR on notice!
We cannot afford to lose games on biased referee whistles that blow at whim because we are from the Pacific, second tier or the infringe mind-set lens.
Moving forward, FRU must also groom home grown world class referees who can officiate at World Cup level, sit at that table, be advocates for our own and ensure fairness and transparency, only then can we know we are playing on a level playing field and no wasted effort for that 16th player.
LAVINIA KAUMAITOTOYA, Navakai, Nadi
Progress at RWC
Sixteen years ago, our national team got the opportunity, but could not finish it because of its mighty opposition, the highly rated Springboks.
This time around, against the very lowly rated opposition, England, and again, it did not materialise.
We often fail due to lack of consistency, but failure does not define who we are.
The ability to persist is what forges our discipline and resilience to move forward.
Our national team failed but it did not fall backwards.
It fell forward, for progress was clearly observed.
Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
Awesome performance
When the Flying Fijians played their hearts out in their match against England in the RWC 2023 quarterfinals, it was a proud moment for all the fans.
The only Tier 2 team to compete in this year’s quarterfinals was Fiji, who nearly upset England.
I am pleased with the way our players battled until the final whistle and tested their adversaries.
The most exciting moment was after Fiji levelled up to England with 24 points each with a brilliant try.
In the game’s final nine minutes, England was so desperate for points that Owen Farrell decided to go for a drop goal and a penalty try.
Fiji proved lethal to the Red Rose even with 14 players when Habosi received a yellow card.
The two penalties that Frank Lomani missed in the first half may haunt us forever.
Nevertheless, congratulations to the entire team, captain Waisea Nayacalevu, head coach Simon Raiwalui for the outstanding performance.
Toso Viti!
DINESH KUMAR, Ba
Well done
A gallant performance by our Flying Fijian boys against England.
Whether we win or lose, you all have earned our respect.
Thanks to all the media for the coverage so far.
A job well done.
RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ, Naleba, Labasa
Flying Fijians
Great game by our Flying Fijians against England.
I salute you for playing on the world stage with a deep whole-hearted passion.
You have once again inspired the nation and fans worldwide.
Here at home, another soccer bazaar just concluded.
Oilei o Fiji Football!
Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka
RWC campaign
The 2023 World Cup campaign has ended but the dream hasn’t.
There are too many memories and details so I will just leave with a suggestion.
The need for goal-kickers.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Goal kicking
If our kicking at goal had been more accurate, we would have made it.
But like they say, ‘better luck next time’.
Thank you boys for a good World Cup campaign.
Joeli Naleca, Nakasi
Close game
That was a close game in the quarter-final against England had we obtained a reliable goal kicker like Ben Volavola it could have been a different story.
Anyway we are very proud of our national team the Flying Fijians.
They did put up a courageous performance, the only second tier nation in the quarter-final.
Our team was like a lightweight in boxing amongst the heavyweights and punching far above its weight division.
Thank you to coach Raiwalui, the management and team officials and sponsor for a very successful World Cup campaign.
You are now ranked as one of the top eight rugby union playing nations in the world.
That’s quite an achievement for a small island nation with a population of less than a million people.
Vinaka vakalevu Flying Fijians.
Your beloved country salutes you.
Viva le Feejee.
Waisea Navuruvuru, Nasoso, Nadi
Panel of referees
There is one big yawning disparity when we review the referee panel in 15s rugby and this was clearly evident at the France World Cup 2023.
There is hardly or no referee from the Tier 2 countries in the panel and this is creating a big gap in voice as far as officiating goes.
Why is there a disparity?
The stakeholders in Fiji must now start the talanoa and veilomani and push World Rugby to assist with training and upskilling of referees to officiate at the highest level.
I am sure Samoa and Tonga will agree with this as it’s high time we have a collective voice which is currently dominated by Tier 1 ranked countries.
Toso Viti, the talanoa and road to the 2027 World Cup in Australia starts now and we have four years to turn the table around and be heard.
We have the potential and passion to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
The gap is bridging.
Beware big wigs!
Shalwyn Prasad, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
A brave performance!
England’s Owen Farrell, who starred in the 30-24 victory over Fiji, shared his thoughts post-match, “It was what we expected. They are a tough team that can turn it on in the blink of an eye. I thought we started the game really well. We really got after it in that first half. We always knew Fiji was going to have some good patches and they did.”
Farrell kicked Steve Borthwick’s side into the RWC semi-finals for the sixth time in their history where they will meet holders South Africa for a spot in the final.
The Roses had time to think as they survived an incredible late fightback from the FIJI Water Flying Fijians at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Borthwick’s side appeared to be cruising into the semi-finals at 24-10 ahead deep in the second half but hats off to our boys for mounting a sensational fightback to level matters with 10 minutes to go before Farrell’s boot rescued England and secured a 30-24 victory.
Had we converted the penalties and opportunities, we would have set up the mouthwatering clash against the Springboks who kicked the hosts out of the RWC.
The pulsating encounter, which continued at pace, united a rugby crazy nation.
I salute head coach Simon Raiwalui and his coaching staff for polishing the performance of the Flying Fijians who won hearts despite the loss!
I give immense credit to the boys who played tremendously well.
They impressed many and have made a massive statement, proving they have the guts and caliber to compete against the bigger names.
We must build on from here.
There is no looking back!
Toso Viti!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Proud Fijians
Vinaka na qito Flying Fijians.
You’ve done Fiji and Fijians all over the world proud for your gutsy inspirational performance right throughout the World Cup.
Some of you have had to contend with personal family tragedy.
And being so far away from your loved ones in your moments of grief can take their toll.
Vinaka vakalevu Flying Fijians for giving us such tremendous joy and hope.
God bless each and every one of you and your families for putting Fiji on the map.
And to Simon and his awesome team, well done and congratulations for how you prepared this great team.
Fijian rugby is in good shape and in good hands.
And we look forward to 2027 here in the Land Down Under for another great performance by your awesome team.
Colin Deoki, Australia
IDC champions
Hearty congratulations to the Ba team for winning the 25th Courts IDC and ending the 8-year drought.
Yes, it did rain heavily in Ba on Sunday night.
Hats off to the coach master Ashif Khan and master Yogen Dutt for guidance.
Mr Khan was widely criticised when Ba bowed out of the Battle of the Giants this year without a single point.
The resilience and patience that the coach and executives of Ba FC had in this young squad proved worthwhile when they returned home as the champions of the 2023 Courts IDC Super Premier Division.
The top prizes were all won by Ba players.
The captain, Praneel Naidu, received the Fair Play Award, while Mohammed Raheem won the Golden Boot, Misiwane Nairube the Golden Glove and Nabil Begg the Player of the Tournament.
Ba toh Ba hai.
My Blues team deserves praise for being an impressive opponent in the championship game.
Good job, boys.
The 2023 Fiji FACT and 2023 Premier League championships have already been won by the mighty Blues.
We shall tidy up the loose ends, regroup and bounce back for the 2024 season.
Blues ke kon roki!
DINESH KUMAR, Ba
Democratic integrity
Most MPs are not motivated by any notion of public good, but by the desire to stay in power.
From my perspective, people will go for extremist leadership when they are miserable, hopeless and deprived of any possibility whatsoever.
MP Aliki Bia’s maiden speech echoed, “We are not here because of our flashy educational credentials, self-importance, experience, political affiliation or fat pay cheques. We are here to serve”.
Added by MP Ioane Naivalurua who said: “MPs are for real, not TV show personalities. Implementation is necessary.”
Let us hope that these are not only spoken words, but a reality that needs to be practically realised.
Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
Tsunami drill
On the NDAW awareness drills as reported in The Fiji Times (16/10), planning ahead will prepare people on how to save lives and properties in times of disasters.
Save yourself and save others.
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.
Always be prepared.
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Cemetery condition
On Sunday, October 15, my elderly and frail relatives from Canada and Fiji went to the Suva cemetery to pay our respect at my grandfather’s grave.
He had come from Madras to make Fiji his home.
The Suva cemetery was in an unkempt and undignified state.
There was no rubbish bin anywhere.
There were plastic bottles along the grass edge of a wide adjacent drain which were likely to be washed during a torrential rain and end up in the sea.
The Suva cemetery saw better care and maintenance during colonial times.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Poverty level
Before and during the last election there was a lot of hullabaloo about the rising level of poverty in Fiji.
Now we don’t hear any concerns for those living in poverty and the hardships faced by low income earners especially after the increase in VAT.
Does that mean things are okay now?
I guess the only way to find out what is the reality on the ground is through a public poll.
SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka
Congratulations Ba
Congratulations to the Men in Black for clinching the 2023 IDC title.
A merited and a hard fought victory indeed.
Hats off to the formidable Lautoka side for demonstrating a suave effort, consistency and a thrilling display of quality football until the final whistle.
Unfortunately and evidently, fatigue got the better of the 2023 National League champions.
Yes, “Ba tho Bai hai, lekin Blues bhi apan jaga hai”.
Nishant Singh, Lautoka
