Happy 7s rugby ending
The happy ending that Bollywood movies present had somehow eluded our national 7s team in Cape Town! However, on Monday morning when fireworks lit the Madiba skies, the happy ending we were dying for eventuated. Finishing fifth in South Africa three years in a row did not go down too well with fans but Fiji started well on day one thumping France and Kenya 50-0 and 38-7 respectively compared with the 39-0 and 43-12 thrashing a week earlier. Nerves were settled when Fiji escaped the jaws of England by the slightest of margins 21-19. The pressure of a quarter-final was too much for Spain after which our heroes battled the Blitzbokke, who were playing in honour of Nelson Mandela. Without Snyman and Plessis, the hosts put up a spectacular, gutsy and courageous effort amid a wonderful and fantastic atmosphere, but gasman Naduva pressed the accelerator and broke thousands of South African hearts. Fiji and the Blitzbokke had an average start in Dubai but backed by the massive crowd, the hosts started with a bang before our boys responded and silenced the home fans. Our boys were aggressive and confronted the bokkes and matched their physical prowess. Hence, our distinct flair, flamboyant off-loads and crucial turnovers proved to be the difference as our boys lined against the USA Eagles, who had created history by playing consecutive finals. The magical Fijians, who were inspired by the national anthem, bullied the physically dominant “bullies” and displayed an array of skills, promising set pieces, one-on-one defence to nail the Eagles. Our boys buried the “Baker” factor and two crucial try saving tackles brought a glimmer of hope that we were going to ignite scenes of the 2005 George 7s victory. Our last appearance in the cup final and cup semi-final dated back to 2009 and 2010 respectively when Fiji had lost to NZ on both occasions 21-12 and 26-19. Furthermore, the loss to USA last weekend had to be buried and I’m grateful that our boys manned up to the job. Newcomers Derenalagi, Vota, Tuimaba and Player of the Final Botitu stood up to the task and ably supported our old hands Jerry, Vatemo, Sevu, Kali, Mesu, Ben, Wise and Naduva. Ironically, only four teams have won in South Africa — Fiji, NZ, South Africa and England and after the three previous winners had lost Fiji had to win. On the other hand, the Cape Town 7s since 2015 had produced a new winner in South Africa, England and NZ. As I conclude, I accord my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Gareth Baber for accepting criticism and having faith in our boys to deliver the goods in Cape Town. Fiji was brilliant and as I had written bounced back in style! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam
Nadawa, Nasinu
Cape Town is ours
Thank you to the team and Baber and the coaching staff, Cape Town is ours. Remember my letter about the three voices in my head that I wrote about in a letter, well I’m going crazy but with Fiji’s win. Thank you to USA and Mike Friday, you were worthy opponents and you certainly have emerged as the most improved team. But to all the Fijian boys, vinaka vakalevu, I stayed up all night to watch and it was sweet, the grog that is. See you in the next leg, right now my legs are wobbly. And could the commentators be told how to pronounce the Fijian’s names properly please. It’s Naduva, not Naduve, Nasoko not Nasoke. Karike.
Allen Lockington
Kava Place,
Waiyavi, Lautoka
Baber’s search
Gareth Baber’s tireless search around the country for new sevens talent is paying dividends. The new players have quickly attained confidence and are showing maturity around quality experience players. In particular, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Vilimoni Botitu have burst on to the sevens scene. They have proven that local raw talent are equally good or better than those exposed to professional setups. Aminiasi Tuimaba went one better in Cape Town by matching reigning sevens player of the year Perry Baker in all aspects. He has shown good composure and attacking skills as many of Fiji’s great sevens who have graced the game in the past. Vilimoni Botitu has to be the find so far. My personal belief is that after many years, Fiji sevens has finally found an ideal rover. I think Fiji has struggled in the river’s position for some time and have tried several players. He is an asset both on attack and defence. He side-stepped and out-paced some of the best sevens players in the world including Werner Kok. Botitu is steady and will continue to create opportunities for himself and the wing. It won’t be surprising if one of these two bag the elusive sevens player of the year award this season. If this squad can conquer discipline issues, the series is there for the taking.
Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua,
Lautoka
Day of atonement
Just when they thought they had it figured out, Fiji returned to form and blew away the American Eagles in the cup final of the 2018 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Cape Town, South Africa. But first up, Fiji had to take care of pressing business in the shape of the Blitzbokkes in the semi-final. With seconds remaining and with only six players in the field, Fiji regained possession and Naduva ran through to hammer the final nail in South Africa’s coffin, and silence the partisan crowd. USA coach Mike Friday had warned that Fiji was sore and was out to atone for their quarter-final drubbing at the hands of USA in Dubai last week. This time, our boys made sure that they won their share of the ball and their superior skills and power did the rest. Recently crowned world sevens player of the year, Perry Baker was made to look ordinary, finding himself face down and legs up on the sideline every time he tried to run down the tramlines, while “beast” Barrett just did not have the gas to repeat his bulldozing try in their semi-final win over New Zealand. Hats off to coach Baber for blooding new players who have really impressed in the tournament. They will quickly mature into their roles in the team as the series progresses. Go Fiji go!
Samu Railoa
Tailevu
Nero and Rome
UN climate negotiators sweat over detail and divide (FT 10/12) reminds you of the saying that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned. When will humanity come to its senses and come to terms with the urgency for action on climate change? How many more climate conferences?
Rajend Naidu
Sydney, Australia
Fijian smiles
First and foremost, we must thank our Fiji Airways Fiji 7s gladiators for making huge amends from poor outing in Dubai and taking top podium finish in the 2018 HSBC Cape Town 7s. You have given smiles to every single Fijian on the face of our Earthly home. Here in Fiji and throughout all distant shores. Congratulations! Simply awesome. Take a bow. Vina du riki na noda cauravou. Ronnie Chang
Nadi
It was speed
Well Dan, Fiji won over South Africa with six men and Naduva outsprinted the opposition to score the final try. It was speed that won us that game.
Allen Lockington
Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Health Minister
The impressive performance by newly-appointed Minister for Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete ( FT 10/12) reflects poorly on the previous minister. Someone help. Amenatave Yaconisau Palm Drive, Delainavesi Speed cameras Why were the speed cameras not activated all this time? Or why do LTA need them to be activated around this time? Any idea?
Pita Soroaqali
Nadarivatu
Another option
I have a suggestion. Instead of Catherine Stubberfield, the UNHCR officer, being “kicked out of Australia” as recommended by R. Salmond (FT Letters 10/12), why don’t we, the people of Australia, collectively sponsor R. Salmond for a long stay at Australia’s offshore refugee detention centre at Manus in PNG so that he can check out for himself the “better standard of living” he purports the asylum seekers to be enjoying there?
Rajend Naidu
Sydney, Australia
Termite issue
A big mango tree half-eaten and infested with termites fell at Vomo St damaging power- lines and blocking the drains. One concerned ratepayer called me regarding the termites and I decided to lodge a complaint on Sunday to the Lautoka termite office. Unfortunately, the office was closed on Sunday and the tree infested with termites is along the roadside. The neighbours are concerned about the termites from the trees getting into nearby houses and damaging them. Can the termite office have a hotline to deal with similar problems?
Narayan Reddy
President, Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association
Grow up
What’s up with SODELPA and NFP? Party leaders Sitiveni Rabuka and Biman Prasad ought to front up, be real gentlemen, and with a little bit of salt take the loss like a man should! One would expect the two of them to be pushing us forward but instead they are choosing to hold us back? I believe you both must stop attributing your loss to whatever pathetic excuses you have. Mr Rabuka, you and your party SODELPA lost to FijiFirst by 46,169 votes and Professor Prasad, you and NFP lost by an overwhelming 193,726 votes! Neither of your parties won by 147 votes! I believe this drama is nothing more than a waste of time and money, as if we haven’t wasted decades of it already! They say the ability to accept responsibility is the measure of a man, and my word, your account of the election leaves a lot to be desired. It is unfortunate that reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, but the fact of the matter is that you both lost and FijiFirst won the 2018 election. Grow up, get over it, and support FijiFirst in serving the nation. Bad losers indeed!
Simon Hazelman
Savusavu
