between THE LINES
RUGBY TREMOR SENDS SHOCK WAVES
In rugby terms it was a tremor of seismic proportions. It shook the rugby and media world. The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians historic 21-14 victory over France yesterday shook the rugby world. In the immediate aftermath, the BBC, one of the world’s media leaders, reeling from the aftershocks, can be excused for headlining its first online dispatch of the test result: “France 21-14 Fiji: Pacific Islanders record first every victory.” The mistake was later rectified, but it reflected the initial response to the shockwaves that victory sent. Even during the tense battle, BTL heard all kinds of superlatives being used by the television match commentators. One that stood out for him was “outrageous.” It was used to describe the incredible offload that lock Leone Nakarawa made to winger Josua Tuisova, who scored a spectacular corner try that was disallowed. The Flying Fijians have served notice to tier one nations - Don’t underestimate us.
PARLIAMENT SNIPPETS
There are several firsts when Parliament opens today. 0 A father and son sitting on the same side of the House. SODELPA president Ratu Naiqama and his son, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu 0 More younger men and women in Parliament 0 Only one Indo-Fijian on the Opposition side, National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad. Twenty three include two from NFP are iTaukei. Is this the beginning of the change that the NFP has been talking about? It appears the NFP has been losing its powerbase Indo-Fijian support. On the other hand it has gained more iTaukei support through the influence of newly elected members Pio Tikoduadua and Lenora Qereqeretabua. Has the changing of the guard process started – Mr Prasad bowing out and Mr Tikoduadua taking over as the first iTaukei to lead the NFP?