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Samoa’s Theo McFarland (call) during the Manu Siva Tau before the match against Argentina in Saint-Etienne, France, September 23, 2023.
photo: AFP/Ashley Western
The Rakapi Samoa Union president says the goal for 2024 is to improve the union’s financial situation.
Tu’ilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi spoke to RNZ Pacific after receiving a letter outlining the company’s decision. Withdrawal from Northern Hemisphere Tour was leaked.
In the letter, dated July 11, 2024 and seen by RNZ Pacific, Tu’ilaepa wrote to World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont saying the decision was “a direct result of the significant financial challenges currently facing Rakapi Samoa”.
The former Samoan prime minister said while they were unable to meet the union’s funding needs, they would increase revenue this year through new avenues with sponsors.
“Rakapi Samoa has been facing many financial problems since our government left,” he said.
“Manu Samoa needs a lot of financial support but the current government has cut financial support so we are unable to meet the funding needs.
“The federation’s decision to forgo the Nordic Tour this year is to allow us to improve our financial situation through new collaborations with sponsors.”
Rakapi Samoa then resumed talks with sponsors and a bank willing to help.
It is also preparing for its centenary celebrations and hopes to raise more funds.
“We have since spoken again to other sponsors and are seeking donations for the centenary celebrations planned in the coming months; hopefully we will be able to secure enough donations to help us.”
When asked by RNZ Pacific if he would consider resigning following public comments on social media that the current management needed to go, Tu’ilaepa said Rakapi Samoa had been criticised by a lot of people who were not helping them.
“We get a lot of criticism from people who never give us money or help us; they complain a lot but do nothing, especially some of the older players who have their complaints.
“But if there’s no help, we just have to ignore them, that’s the reality.”
Tuilaepa said these problems would not have arisen if his party was in power.
“We will continue to help all sports, not just rugby.”
Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi, president of the Samoa Rugby Association.
photo: Provided/Samoa Rugby
However, a World Rugby spokesman Said financial problems “are a direct consequence of the union’s decision”.
A spokesperson said Samoa and the wider Pacific Islands played an important role in the history of world rugby; World Rugby was in active dialogue with the federation and its stakeholders to identify possible solutions to the current financial challenges and develop a long-term stability strategy.
“It is important to note that World Rugby invests significantly each year in Rakapi Samoa’s high performance and development programmes and the current financial challenges are a direct consequence of decisions made by the league.”
The spokesperson said collaboration from all stakeholders was necessary to find long-term solutions rather than short-term mitigation measures.
“As a result, Lakapi (union) decided earlier this year to withdraw from the November testing programme.
“This decision is supported by World Rugby as World Rugby will fund Samoa’s participation in the new Pacific Nations Cup, a key competition in the new international calendar that is directly linked to future Rugby World Cup and Nations Cup Tier 2 qualifiers.
“This is in addition to the ongoing significant investment in the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby League franchise and Samoa’s participation in the WXV and age grade competitions.”
Since the report was published on Tuesday, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who is also the president of Tonga Rugby, has publicly voiced his support for Rakapi Samoa.
“This is the sad reality of rugby, a sport we love so much in the Pacific,” Huakawameliku wrote on Facebook.
“World Rugby and sponsors need a better way to support rugby.
“If you don’t have the necessary resources, it’s hard to play well. If you don’t play well, it’s hard to get resources… It’s not a win-win situation.”
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