Goal dropped: World Rugby says Samoa’s financial woes are due to ‘decisions made by the union’

photo: Victor Montalva/Federacion de Rugby Chile Image credit: Photosport Source: AFP

Rugby’s governing body is in active dialogue with the Rakapi Samoa Association to find a solution to the financial woes facing the union, which threatens the future of rugby in Samoa.

Last month, Samoa Rugby Write to World Rugby Manu Samoa will not be able to go ahead with their northern hemisphere tour due to “significant financial challenges” and avoiding “bankruptcy”, the report said.

Rakapi Samoa board chairperson Tu’ilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegao said “lack of sponsorship” was the “biggest challenge” facing the federation in growing and sustaining the sport.

“We recommend exploring targeted initiatives to bring about real, lasting change for a country the size of Samoa.

This could include increased financial assistance and strengthened support structures to help us navigate the complexities of international competition,” former Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa said in a letter to World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.

However, a World Rugby spokesman said the financial difficulties were “a direct consequence of the decisions made by the federation”.

The spokesperson said Samoa, and the wider Pacific Islands, played an important role in the history of world rugby and World Rugby was in active dialogue with the federation and its stakeholders to identify possible solutions to ongoing financial challenges and develop a long-term stabilisation 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, Rakapi decided earlier this year to withdraw from the November Test schedule. This decision was supported by World Rugby as World Rugby will be funding 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.

They added: “This is in addition to significant ongoing investment in the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby League franchise and Samoa’s participation in WXV and age grade competitions.”

Tonga’s Prime Minister: This is not a win-win situation

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, the much-loved sport of the Pacific. World Rugby and sponsors need to adopt a better way to support rugby,” Hu’akavameiliku wrote in a Facebook post.

“It’s hard to play well when you don’t have the necessary resources. And it’s hard to get resources when you don’t play well… It’s not a win-win situation!” he added.