The Fiji Times

RWC and Radradra

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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

One day Mafatu

WELL, the beer and sausage sizzle. Turned out to be a bitter and a fizzle.

But as we so often optimistic­ally say.

One day, Mafatu, one day.

We will most certainly make them pay.

For how we lost the game on Wednesday,

Some people will certainly say. Oilei, Viti, oilei!

But we really defeated ourselves. And definitely not the other way. When next time in the cup, with them we play.

It is the definitely the Dragon we will slay.

EDWARD BLAKELOCK

Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

 ?? Picture: BALJEET SINGH ?? Cows along Kings Rd in Lawaki Village, Lautoka is a hazard to motorists and needs to be looked into.
Picture: BALJEET SINGH Cows along Kings Rd in Lawaki Village, Lautoka is a hazard to motorists and needs to be looked into.

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