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The Samoa national rugby team or Manu Samoa is ranked 13th in the world.
photo: AFP/Ashley Western
The Samoa national rugby team has withdrawn from the Northern Hemisphere tour citing “significant financial challenges” and to “avoid the embarrassment of becoming the first minor league to go bankrupt”.
In a letter dated July 11, 2024 and seen by Radio Pacific New Zealand, Rakapi Samoa board chair Tu’ilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi wrote to World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont saying the decision “stems directly from the significant financial challenges currently facing Rakapi Samoa”.
The former Samoan Prime Minister said: “Our commitment to rugby and our desire to compete at the highest level remains unwavering. However, the financial realities we face require us to approach international affairs with greater caution to ensure the long-term sustainability and stability of Rakapi Samoa.
He added: “This is a vital decision to prevent a similar situation to what happened to the Rakapi Samoa Union from happening again and to avoid the embarrassment of being the first small union to go bankrupt.”
The letter said Rakapi Samoa had “tried very hard” to follow good governance practices, but a lack of financial support had hampered their efforts.
“…the lack of sponsorship from small economies is the biggest challenge preventing us from growing and sustaining the sport.”
A copy of the letter.
photo: New Zealand Pacific Radio
“Strengthening financial assistance”
Rugby is Samoa’s national sport, with approximately 5,000 active players in the country’s population of 200,000.
The Samoa national rugby team or Manu Samoa is ranked 13th in the world.
The letter states that Rakapi Samoa values its partnership with World Rugby, highlighting Samoa’s contribution to the sport and its “world-class talent and unique brand of rugby”, but notes that “the financial burden of maintaining such high levels of participation is becoming increasingly challenging and unsustainable”.
“Given these challenges, we believe more strategic interventions and support from World Rugby are urgently needed. While we appreciate the existing support framework, we believe a more targeted approach could make a significant difference.
Tu’ilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Board
photo: Provided/Samoa Rugby
“We recommend exploring targeted initiatives to bring about real and lasting change for a country the size of Samoa. This could include increased financial assistance and stronger support structures to help us navigate the complexities of international competition.”
This will enable the league to continue to contribute to world rugby without compromising its financial stability,” the letter said.
“We are committed to working with World Rugby to find solutions that will ensure the sustainability and growth of rugby in Samoa.”
RNZ Pacific has contacted Rakapi Samoa and World Rugby for comment.
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