The Fiji Water Flying Fijians showcased a solid performance to secure a 22-3 victory over the USA in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-final held on Saturday night. Following this, Japan defeated Samoa 49-27 on Sunday, setting the stage for a clash against the defending champions, Fiji.
In their semi-final match, Japan scored four tries in the first half and three in the second, marking a significant achievement for head coach Eddie Jones, who has now recorded three consecutive wins after a rocky start to his second tenure. Dylan Riley was named the man of the match for his standout performance, alongside notable contributions from players such as Tomoki Osada, Seungsin Lee, Kanji Shimokawa, Shinobu Fujiwara, and Taichi Takahashi.
Fiji is set to face Japan at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, with the challenge ahead requiring Fiji to be precise during set-pieces and to minimize errors. A victory would lay the groundwork for their Northern Hemisphere tour later this year.
In domestic football, this year will herald a new champion in the DPL as reigning champions Lautoka have already been eliminated from the competition. Rewa, with two games in hand, currently tops the table with 37 points, while Labasa trails with 32 points after Lautoka fell to third place following a recent loss. Rewa’s exceptional consistency has seen them secure a significant point haul this season, and they are well-positioned to claim the title.
Additionally, an alarming concern was raised regarding elderly suicides in Fiji, with reports indicating that 19 individuals have succumbed to taking their own lives this year amid 60 attempted cases, attributed to familial neglect and pressures. A plea for compassion towards the elderly was highlighted, stressing the importance of familial support.
In other news, the Prime Minister’s inquiry regarding Barbara Malimali’s appointment has seemingly reached a resolution with a recently received letter. However, the potential for further developments remains.
Other contributors voiced varied opinions on topics ranging from the impact of religion in Fijian society, the urgent need for kava regulation in relation to road safety, to questions regarding parking enforcement during sports events. The dialogues reflect a range of community concerns and hopes for Fiji’s future, including economic prospects and social issues.