35 days of bonding
Mr McKee, 35 days of team bonding sounds reasonable. I am saying this because since Fiji really doesn’t matter much to World Rugby, there is little chance that they will order the European clubs to release your boys before August. I hope I am proved wrong, seriously. But given the facts and under the circumstances, with the quality the Flying Fijians showed versus France, I believe 35 days should be adequate. That game versus France came after a few days of bonding, two matches whereby we lost one and won one, and the boys had apparently bonded well before slaying the French roosters in their own coop. In fact, what will be questioned is the depth you will have in your squad, rather than having only one set of best 15 run-on side. Your team versus France proved that we do not need the injury-prone Nadolo and some of the stars from yesteryear. Please build your squad around that very group of players from the France game. Meanwhile, let’s hope that you are successful in negotiating earlier release of your players. Ben Ryan has consistently pointed out the flaws that exist surrounding fairness to tier two rugby nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Fiji has the most realistic chance of making it through to the quarters or the semis next year. Supposing you don’t get your request granted by the Premiership Rugby Ltd (through World Rugby), please believe in your squad and not lament the lack of preparation time. I am no expert, but can see clearer these days. That France game has gotten me believing again. Donald Singh Lautoka
Rubbish dump highway
For a country that depends heavily on tourism and one that supposedly leads in the protection of the global environment, our actions on the ground is not only disgusting, but it simply exposes the kind of people we are, dirty, irresponsible beings. Litter problems on our highways are growing substantially. From takeaway containers to drink bottles, plastic bags, nappies, and anything that can be categorised as garbage. The next time contractors cut the fringes of our highways it would be advisable for responsible MPs to follow through and see for themselves (if they haven’t already noticed) how our highways and roadways are literally being used as rubbish dumps. Yesterday on our way to Labasa I stopped a vehicle carrying four passengers in their late 20s, early 30s who were throwing rubbish out of their vehicle as they were driving through Nabalebale Village. After scolding them and giving them a piece of my mind I expected them to pick up their rubbish and be regretful, but instead they gave me the blank stare and drove off. We sure have an intellectual problem when it comes to disposing of rubbish. Currently we are just a load of it! Simon Hazelman Savusavu
WAF trench picture
I believe the WAF trench for the installation of a water pipe in Votualevu (The Fiji Times 18/12/2018) portrays a picture of an accident waiting to happen. I believe there’s been two fatalities from collapsed trenches in recent news. One in Labasa and the other in Nasoso and for the families involved, an unacceptable failure with the systems of work. I’m not sure of the trench depth in this picture but it’s at least a third deeper than the height of the men working in it. The work spoil should be at least 0.6m from the edge of the excavation. Can’t see any means of access or egress unless the workers are jumping in or climbing out on their own ingenuity. Anything bigger than 1.5m should be protected from a collapse by one or a combination of measures; digging an angle of repose for the sides (sloping), shoring to support walls, or shields to protect occupants should the walls cave in. Obtaining safety information and standards for trenching should not be a problem for WAF with all its resources. While it’s commendable to upgrade the water system, the safety of workers should never be compromised as a part of that upgrade. As the saying goes, “No job is so important that you have to die for it”. Not in this day and age. Robin Simpson Lautoka
48-hour meeting
I would like to know was it a continuous 48-hour meeting or there were eight hour breaks between meetings. I also would like to know what facilities are in this place where they had the meeting. I also would like to know from those who attended the meeting if any of them were bored during this 48-hour confinement. I remember at FEA during hurricane and flooding we used to stay in the power house for up to 36 hours but we were allowed to drink grog and sleep and there was plenty of food. We had bathrooms but hardly anybody had a bath during the 36 hours. It was one of the most enjoyable time for the workers because of the overtime and food and tea, Milo, juice and grog. Anyway I would love to know what are the OHS laws regarding overtime work. Is it an eight-hour break after a 16-hour shift? Sukha Singh Labasa
Other side of the story
It is always the story of allegations from disgruntled members of landowning units throughout Fiji relevant to their land dealings, TLTB will always counter with their side of the story which is the norm. I believe the NLTB was formed in 1940 by the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna to protect the many diverse interests of the indigenous iTaukei Fijian resource owners first and tenants in the promotion of their many commercial development
aspirations to benefit their future generations. May be the lack of awareness, communications between the two or the inaction of the landowners’
affairs unit within the TLTB that is causing the stir. I believe the TLTB HQ should be given a special award for the most outstanding Vision Mission
Statement in any corporate entity Fiji wide that is displayed in front of their reception area in all their regional offices. It makes very good reading
but do they practise it, my point is who is telling the common lie here? TUKAI LAGONILAKEBA, Namaka, Nadi
Sebastian Singh’s move
SEBASTIAN Singh’s decision to move his training camp overseas is timely. This realisation will assist him to reach heights he desires. Singh did extremely well in the first round. He should have built on this by using his reach and jabs to keep Morgan at bay. These sorts of technicalities
have produced worldclass boxers. To become one of the best, we have to be under constant guidance of some of the best. Domestic boxing scene has never been attractive. It has failed to be a dominant sport. Apart from a few good boxers such as Sakaraia Ve and recently Winston Hill, local boxing has never reached the glamour present overseas. Hopefully, your next bout will produce a different result. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF
Natabua, Lautoka
Disturbance by aircraft
An issue I’d like to raise is in regards to aircraft noise and to some extent low flying aircraft. I’ve experienced this small red and while colour aircraft which I believe is a training aircraft for local student pilots flying over my farm for a while now. Just wondering if it’s legal to conduct flight trainings over residential and agricultural areas? Wondering if there’s a flying practice zone which all flying instructors should take heed of, or are instructors making their own flying zone. The amount of noise disturbance is really annoying day by day and sometimes low flying aircraft are also experienced. Taking into consideration if a mishap happens, I believe these small aircraft use fuels such as Avgas (aviation gasoline, also known as aviation spirit), which are very flammable and won’t be controllable in case it crashes. Now considering the safety of people and the surrounding farms, I reckon such areas should be a no fly zone for pilot training. It’s agreeable that other passenger planes and jets do fly over the same areas, but I reckon jets are cruising around 30,000 feet high and both passenger and jets have experienced pilots in case an emergency happens. It would be much appreciated if relevant authorities take heed of the abovementioned issue and provide safe flying training zones for learner pilots, taking into consideration air safety rules and regulations which benefits all. Shamal Chand Kuku Bau Rd, Nausori
Unsung hero
Your back page sports headline on our new unsung hero and warrior Aminiasi the conqueror Tuimaba is a long time waiting. Since watching the Cape Town Sevens final, this robust and very fit and strong man remains a very important part of our sevens mix. Thank you The Fiji Times for again highlighting super talented players and Amini is a special player. He very slowly and assertively toned down the two-time World Sevens player paceman Perry Baker and shred him apart and when the second tackle was made on the sideline I could see Perry slowly standing up thinking no more from here and he was virtually a bystander after that. The strong and massive hits by Tuimaba virtually stopped the USA attacks and this gave Fiji full action to display sevens rugby. After a long time we took a big lead and never succumbed. Well noted are the new talents that are now raising their hands and with Jerry’s exit, we now have only one Olympian in the team. This is telling us and the stakeholders to quickly look after this young brigade of fresh and raw talents and who knows come 2020, we can take our homegrown talent to the Olympics and conquer the rest just like what Amini is doing. Stop any poaching and look after these players and nurture them. Go Fiji, go home talent, go sevens, joka kece. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
All Blacks 15s coach
Steve Hansen has proved himself and now that the successful All Blacks coach has announced that he will quit after the RWC 15s, the likes of current Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, Ireland’s mentor Joe Schmidt, All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster and former Welsh coach Garren Watland have emerged as possible replacements. If I had my way I’d appoint Joe Schmidt, who masterminded the Irish onslaught against the All Blacks, as the coach and retain Foster as his assistant. I’d also rope in Scotty to assist Foster and Schmidt. After all the All Blacks remain the world’s best team and need the best brains to guide them all along as the departure of top All Blacks players to Europe has started to haunt NZ Rugby Union. Meanwhile, Hansen will be under immense pressure to defend the Webb Ellis trophy and trust me, next year’s RWC will be one of the most competitive and I hope our side will prepare accordingly. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Weather website
The new look Fiji met website is a great improvement. A bit more tweaking here and there and it will be excellent. I trust it is programmed to divert cyclones away from Fiji! Allan Loosley Tavua
Christmas spirit
A very good mate of mine is a taxidriver. Every year, during the Christmas period he decorates his taxi with Christmas decorations. I as a Christian am very proud to see a fellow Fijian of Indian ethnicity and a Muslim brother celebrate this wonderful occasion in a true Christmas spirit of the Christian calendar. To you my good friend … bhaiya! ZANE YOUNG Lautoka
Low-hanging fruit
To get to the “low-hanging fruit”, you got to jump off; from that proverbial cloud nine you are floating on. Take a leap, for nothing humbles men like a free fall of faith. Oh, the “gravity” of it all. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Sebastian’s defeat
I tend to agree with Donald Singh of Lautoka in his explanation of Sebastian Singh’s defeat at the hands of New Zealander Morgan (FT18/12). Unfortunately the referee had to follow the rules of the game. Sebastian had been mandatory counted already. The referee had to stop further punishment fortunately. Amenatave Yaconisau Palm Drive, Delainavesi
US president
Anything that the US president does not like, appreciate or condone is a disaster. For him, climate change is a hoax. Changes in weather pattern and risk of extreme natural disasters do not concern him. Climate change can result in the demise of human kind. That would be some disaster. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
New sevens star
The name Aminiasi Tuimaba will soon be ‘hot cake’ on the WRSS circuit. The rugby league convert did not take too long to adjust to 7s and made his presence felt during the first leg. His try against the Blitzbokke in the final of the 5/6th place won him accolades and soon our star will make headlines. Tuimaba, who played for Saru Dragons alongside Eroni Sau, reminds me of former power packed 7s gem Watekini Vunisa and he is a player to watch for come the Hamilton and Sydney 7s. I’m sure that the 3FIR player will make his Queen Elizabeth Barrack comrades and Army teammates proud of his achievement! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
