Importance of the cibi
Well our warriors for the RWC (Rugby World Cup) in the land of the rising sun have been chosen and all that is left is to tweak those wrongs to a right and we should be all set to go and do battle. Now I know this topic is a bit of a hot potato, but please keep your religious faith to yourself, if you don’t want to perform the cibi then don’t play for Fiji, it’s like telling the lion not to eat the antelope, simple as that, because that white jumper does not represent you only, but your vanua, your family, the different races and religions that encompass our beautiful Fiji, wear it with pride and be prepared to pour out sweat and blood for it as our forefather’s did and let’s not get carried away. Let’s take a leaf from the mighty All Blacks and how they embrace their culture and the mana it exonerates where everyone must learn to perform the haka and even sing the Maori version of the national anthem, that is what I call pride in the jersey and what it represents and not just pride in one self. As always give back the glory to our Lord and Saviour but don’t forget what that jersey means. So good luck boys and we wish you all the best, remember go hard and enjoy the game. Toso Viti! Lawrence Wara Suva
Fans drive Flying Fijians
Head coach John McKee labelled Fijians as the main ingredient and source that drives the Flying Fijians and it’s important that we support our boys as they prepare for the RWC. As Fijians joined the national 15s team at Albert Park on Saturday for autographs and photos, McKee added that the pride of representing Fiji was a real drive for his players. To the fans, “we are with our team and we will support our team to the end” — this should echo from our first pool game to our last match. Let’s not change our tune if the results don’t go in our favour. Toso Viti toso! The All Blacks have exposed weaknesses in the Wallabies — let’s explore these weaknesses and give them a Fijian treat. As I conclude, I wish 7s sensation Alasio Naduva all the best as he tied the knot with Vasiti Tuilau! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Exciting RWC
With about a month left, the Test matches played so far this year prove that the Rugby World Cup in Japan will be as exciting and unpredictable as the last soccer world cup. The ranking will be irrelevant as teams have the ability to topple each other. Although the Pumas have quite a low ranking for their standards, they have pushed tier one powerhouses in the rugby championship. As for our Fiji Airways Flying Fijians, they will have to produce a 200 per cent effort to get past the rampant Australian Wallabies and Welsh Dragons. It is the world cup. Possession, territory, quick recycling and a structured approach will be assets to make any inroads in the tournament. Relying on patches of individual surges through fragmented play and squandering opportunities will see our boys scrambling to defend their line most of the time. It is believed that for once, the Asian venue will favour the Pacific Islanders. The rest is up to us. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
All creatures
Something quite disturbing took place in front of an establishment belonging to a Christian organisation. Three dogs live there. It was rubbish day. One of the dogs was ripping open their bag of rubbish left on the roadside. I guess it got out when the rubbish was being taken out. I had put my rubbish bin out and I saw what the dog was doing. I told it to stop but of course he looked at me bemused then carried-on. I couldn’t do much. Not long after this, a man came out of the house and gave the creature a firm booting to its side, angry it had got into the rubbish. If the rubbish was in a secure bin and if the dog was safe in its compound and not left to roam the streets, the dog wouldn’t have been tempted or able to get to the rubbish. The man is guilty of two counts of negligence. If the man is a true Christian, would he be cruel to animals? How does the children’s hymn go that many of us grew up singing: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
All Blacks dominate
The ghost of not winning at Eden Park continued to haunt Australia as the All Blacks retained the prestigious Bledisloe Cup hammering the Wallabies (36-0). Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had fielded his best in a bid to wrest the Bledisloe Cup from NZ however the darling of rugby demolished the men in gold to keep the silverware 18 years in a row. Australia is in Fiji’s pool and I watched this match to gain some insight to contain the Wallabies onslaught at the Sapporo Dome. During the match the All Blacks forwards were steady and held the scrum well against Sio, Latu and Alaalatoa despite the sin-binning of hooker Dan Coles. Furthermore, Sevu Reece and George Bridge proved their worth taking over from experienced Ben Smith and Reiko Ioane while Richie Mo’unga was at his usual best and was one step ahead of his counterpart Lealiifano. Half back Aaron Smith closed Nic White’s attacking armoury while captain Read was an inspiration as he led the charge. NZ was accurate at the kicking game and their defence was well organised and the ABs made one on one tackles and gave little room for attack from Kerevi, Beale, Hodge, O’Connor and Koroibete. Those who came from the bench lifted the intensity of the battle. The ABs played like a unit and this is something I’d love to see from the Flying Fijians against the Wallabies. The ABs rose to the occasion and defended the Bledisloe Cup with all their might and I’m sure this would have motivated our boys especially those who will wear the jumper against Australia. Congratulations to the Kings of rugby! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
More kava
The game ended, I went and bought some more kava. Well the situation deserved another mix when the score was 36-nil. But you know what, I had expected the Wallabies to perform like last week. Anyway, the mighty All Blacks bounced back and coach Steve Hanson’s choices of Sevu Reece and George Bridge paid off. All I can say is — such is the vision of a good coach. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Pacific players
Along the Barbarians concept, could there be a Test between a Pacific islands team comprising players (Pacific heritage) from all nations to play the 2019 Rugby World Cup champions as next season’s curtain-raiser. The unparalleled growing influence of Pacific rugby players has been on show in major competitions, whether it be 7s or 15s. As an overdue recognition of the mostly forgotten rugby world, the Test against a Pacific team would raise the roof of rugby. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Who gained
The first game Aussies exposed the All Blacks’ weakness. The return match was no different from previous years. Which of the two teams gained the most? Dan Urai Lautoka
What a game
The wobblies black-out at Fortress Eden Park by the World champion mighty ABs. Sotava. Anthony Sahai Auckland, New Zealand
10 businesses
In Lautoka, 10 small business outlets have closed since last month, I believe because of government policy. Dan Urai Lautoka
Greenland issue
AS Allen Lockington, I too am amazed that Donald Trump should go so far as to want to buy Greenland (FT 18/8). I could understand that buying mentality when he got his now disgraced and jailed lawyer Michael Cohen to pay off porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence on the eve of the 2016 presidential election. But I suppose Mr Trump is the kind of man who thinks money can buy anything he fancies. He is wrong as the “not for sale” response from Greenland demonstrates. They did not find Mr Trump’s buying bid funny. They found it stupid. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Children on the streets
This came from the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, “we are seeing more and more children on the streets trying to make a living for their families so we find that there are either food, roti parcels mostly or cakes and pies and door mats”. Before this, we had been educated about the poverty rate in Fiji. I can’t recollect whether it corresponds or contradicts this statement. Some help. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
