Samoan Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt says his government will work on setting up a new national rugby union to govern the sport in the country.
Respondng to queries from RNZ Pacific, his office said that since the current Lakapi Samoa board members are not going to resign, as La’auli had demanded in a letter to the national union, work will now begin on establishing a rival national union.
La’auli had demanded three months ago that then-Lakapi Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, his board members and the union’s management resign before he would sign a new funding agreement that would see AUD$150 million (US$105 million) given by the Australian government to fund rugby programmes in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Tuilapea resigned a fortnight ago, but his board members have written to the La’auli advising him they are not going anywhere.
Tuilaepa has been replaced by Lakapi Samoa president Namulauulu Sami Leota, as interim chairman.
“The Prime Minister’s position remains, to have the Samoa Rugby Union cleared of politicians and the management needs complete change as the current Samoan dismal rugby results over the years is a direct reflection on management,” his office said in response to questions.
“The Prime Minister has just received a response from the union to his letter sent three months ago giving his position. The union has rejected this position.
“He has already given the alternative that the government will support the establishment of a new union if the current management insists to remain.”
La’auli’s office said he has already advised Rugby Australia and World Rugby chairman.
RNZ Pacific has contacted World Rugby about the issue.
“We are not going to comment on a domestic matter,” World Rugby said in an email response.
However, past cases of such nature had seen unions being penalised and temporarily suspended, if there were government or external interventions.
A similar case was when the Fijian government interfered with the Fiji Rugby Union in 2023, which eventually saw Fiji being temporarily suspended by World Rugby.
World Rugby maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance on government interference in the affairs of national rugby unions, treating it as a violation of its bye-laws and governance regulations, as the world body requires that national unions remain fully responsible for the organization of rugby within their territory and act independently of state authorities.
World Rugby often suspends the union from the World Rugby Council, resulting in a reduction or freezing of funding.
La’aulii had refused to sign a new Pacific Rugby programme with the Australian government until the change he wants is effected.
The AU$150 million (US$105 million) is aimed to help Fiji, Samoa and Tonga with new rugby programmes over the next five years.
His office said La’aulii wants the new programme to get off the ground and receive the funding needed, and has revealed he wants to meet with the prime ministers of Fiji, Tonga and Australia about the Rugby partnership and Samoa’s support going forward.
“The agreement requires the government signature and endorsement of the funds allocation, distribution and reporting,” his office said.
“He has already informed Australia by letter of his support of the Agreement for the new Pacific Rugby Partnership as he does not want Samoa to miss out.”
And he is also determined now to get the new union established.
“Now that Union has responded and rejected the PM’s position to step down and for a new management to take over, the next step now is the establishment of a new Union which has the support of former players, coaches and supporters both in Samoa and overseas,” his office said.
Former prime minister and former Lakai Samoa chairman Tuilaepa had told RNZ Pacific last week that there are systems to follow, in accordance with the Lakapi Samoa and World Rugby constitution on removing board members or the management.
He claimed La’aulii was playing a political game that would harm rugby in Samoa.
