Letters to the Editor – October 11, 2019

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Fiji Airways Flying Fijians centre Semi Radradra on attack against Georgia during their RWC pool match against Georgia at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka. Picture: FILE/JOVESA NAISUA

I salute you

Great game by our Flying Fijians against the Six Nations champions. I salute you for playing your hearts out. As mentioned in The Guardian online, “the Fiji side at times played rugby from the heavens”. Vinaka vakalevu boys. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka On the rise The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians brought to life the belief at large that this was the best Fijian team assembled for a world cup. The team rattled the Six Nations champions who were top-ranked this year. The match statistics were outstanding. With seven players, they held and pushed the Welsh scrum. Welsh lineout was stolen and the play which led to the penalty try was awesome. The Fijian teams are renowned for having classy back lines. But the effort produced by the forwards was world class. Apart from the Kamaishi disaster, this team has performed a couple of notches up from 2015. We have to leave behind the negatives and complaints as better things are coming. In the longer term, Fiji rugby has improved in leaps and bounds. The scorelines are getting closer. It is even reversing. Although this campaign is over, we have to acknowledge that Fiji rugby is rising. I think in the coming years, the Flying Fijians are destined to produce something special at the world cup. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

Bus tragedy

It is heartbreaking looking at the pictures of the two smiling faces who succumbed to the bus tragedy at Lakena in Nausori (FT 10/10). Twelve-year-old Steven Clarence Naibuka and 13-year-old Makereta Mataika are the two latest victims of road mishaps. Their dreams, their future and their world came to an end unexpectedly and they leave behind hurt and pain to many people, their peers, their teachers and especially their families. I sincerely thank Eneriko Tuimatau for helping and accompanying them to Nausori Health Centre in the hope that they would make it, but they were unresponsive. In his words Tuimatau said: “I cried because these weren’t just students, they belonged to families and they did not deserve to die this way” (FT 10/10). May the two beautiful souls rest high and may their families be assured that they have found rest in God the most high. Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua

Rugby World Cup

At this year’s Rugby World Cup, the brightest spotlight should be out on be referees and television match officials (TMOs). Before the quarter-finals, many dubious decisions have already been made. A cloud of doubt hovers over their neutrality. Against Uruguay, Australia were continuously penalised for high tackles. A yellow card was already given. When Beale made a dangerous high tackle, play was allowed to continue. In the same attack, another Australian made a high tackle. Another yellow card. Strangely, Beale’s dangerous tackled was missed. On the big screen, before Beale’s tackle (replay) was completed, the shot was taken away. Nothing came from the officials. Against the Dragons, a lot of things were hampering the Fijian attack. Cavubati copped a yellow card for what has been continuously happening during ruck time in all other matches. The TMO deemed this necessary for a look. The neutrality of match officials have to be questioned. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

Phenomenal Radradra

Fiji winger Semi “The Trailer” Radradra was announced man of the match against Wales. Radradra also walked away with the man of the match award against The Lelos and his performance at the RWC has raised eyebrows. Fiji was lucky to have Semi Radradra who has been an aggressive and a ferocious unit for the Pacific Islanders. Radradra showed in the land of the rising sun that he was strong as an ox, fast as lightning, and managed to get everywhere in attack and in defence. Ask Wales paceman Liam Williams, who leapt to catch a high ball and who was absolutely clattered by Radradra upon landing, about Radradra’s performance and I’m sure he’ll have a hell to say. Radradra was an excellent value for money and was outstanding for Fiji throughout the RWC. I congratulate Radradra on his mighty performance and I must at the outset say, Radradra you are phenomenal! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Complete player

Semi “The Trailer” Radradra is not only a complete player he is telling the world that he is the tagimoucia flower of rugby, unique and exotic and one piece, absolute gem and rare to find. This form would envy any worldclass coach be it Steve Hansen or Michael Chieka or Eddie Jones and we in Fiji are so blessed as Warren Gatland said Fiji has some very explosive players. Had we not lost demolition man Levani Botia at half time or Peceli Yato would have come a bit earlier or those two to three silky moves ending with a forward pass or that dropped Volavola ball near the tryline and the 10 minute exit of Kunatani and Tevita the momentum of the game was on our side. The swing was coming …go Viti voleka sara. Even the ref was asking the TMO to make decisions and the Welsh dropping balls at the sight of some bone crunching Fiji tackles. Vinaka Dominiko and the boys, a big tick and fight for the Dragons. The question remains has McKee done enough to retain a third onslaught or do we have Matson or someone else to map the road to 2023. Lastly have we seen the best of Radradra in union as there is strong speculation that he is gong back to league? Go the trailer! Go Viti go…toso na veilomani, Ben Ryan for 15s coach. He will fix the coversions and kicks sure 100 per cent. We need a complete match to beat big teams. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva

Best match

Of all the Fiji fifteens matches I have seen so far, the overall performance against the Dragons is the best. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

Marketing issue

Fiji Water advertisement during peak time in the US raises the question why can’t Tourism Fiji do the same? Dan Urai Lautoka

Grand effort

t Vinaka vakalevu Flying Fijians, appreciate the representation and the grand effort. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka

Definition issue

Allen just asked if Fiji was really independent (FT 10/10). While visiting Québec a few years ago, I remember a lady asking me the exact same question at least three times within a single day (I must admit that I was proudly wearing a T-shirt with the Fiji flag on it.) I suppose the poor French speaking woman just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Fiji had been split in two in 1970! Isa, sa dede sara ga! Mathieu Pelletier Sigatoka That game Oh what could have been. Then there were the if only, why didn’t he, he should have, oh man. Anyway, thank you boys. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Road standards

Fiji Day loomed and everyone must have been busy battling the weather and trying to put down a lovo with the Fiji flag raised high. Our Fiji roads made it easier to celebrate Fiji Day and put down a lovo as the lovo pits were all over the roads. The pothole sizes were extremely big and have negative impact on the driving experience as well as damaging motor vehicles. Let’s just hope that FRA fixes this soon enough to avoid any mishaps. Pramesh Naidu Samabula, Suva

Luxury diet

The national health adviser has mentioned that diet choice is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Many people are inclined towards fast food and not locally grown fruits and vegetables. Then there is the influence of the “luxury diet”. It is the “brown soup” and “golden quencher”. According to individual preferences, “side dishes” are also kept. Virtually, anything goes. A popular claim is that they are taken in “medicinal quantities” which already have low calories. Despite the arguments, the “luxury diet’ is yet to make the healthy menu. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

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