Samoan rugby issues need to be resolved outside of parliament

Staff Reporters/

Apia, SAMOA – 23 June 2026 – The Chairman of Lakapi Samoa and MP for Faasaleleaga 2, Namulauulu Sami Leota has been told that the issues dividing Samoan rugby and the rugby union, need to be resolved outside parliament.

Speaking on the Budget Estimates 2026/2027, Namulauulu told parliament that he had just returned from the World Rugby Council meeting at its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland where he was confirmed as Chairman.

He then appealed to the Prime Minister to bring and end to the current division and extend his blessing and support to him and the current management to continue their work to develop Samoan rugby.

He emphasized that the vital issue is to maintain Samoa’s seat in the World Rugby Board and is the reason why their management is continuing the work to develop rugby in Samoa.

He also told parliament that World Rugby’s respect of Samoan rugby and to the Prime Minister’s stand, as resulted in Word Rugby and the Oceania Rugby meeting to be hosted by Samoan rugby and the Samoan government from 28 – 31 July 2026.

He also acknowledged the Prime Ministers efforts to resolve the issues facing Samoan rugby and thanked him for signing the Australian funding development program for Pacific rugby that includes Samoa.

Namulauulu also acknowledged the current impasse and the dismal status of Samoan rugby and said people such as Laauli Sir Michael Jones and other former players have come in to help and he will meet them next week to find ways to improve Samoan rugby then will inform the Prime Minister.

However, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Fosi Schmidt told Namulauulu, that the issues need to be resolved outside parliament as the people involved who will make the final decision are still waiting.

Last month, the PM called a meeting between the sub-unions who have formed the Samoa Rugby Football Union and Lakapi Samoa, and a heated meeting did not end with any conclusive outcome.

Prime Minister Laulialemalialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and members of Cabinet meeting with Lakapi Samoa and representatives of Sub Unions last month.

Another meeting between the parties before Namulauulu left for the World Rugby Board meeting, also did not resolve the key issues that Namulauulu as Chairman and management step down.

The reasons cite the dismal standard of Samoan rugby that had been sliding backwards over the years with the flag carrying Manu Samoa now ranked 20th and its Sevens team sliding from being world champions to being excluded from any top world sevens competitions.

The PM insisted that all the Government had been doing over the years, is support Samoan rugby.

But the consistent decline of Samoan rugby from the top 10 teams to rank 20, have caused a resolute public outcry from former players, former coaches and supporters to change the management.

“The public outcry had nothing to do with me as the government was not involved. I was only involved when Australia asked that the Government sign the $50m annual funding meant for rugby development in Samoa.”

Laauli said that he signed so Samoa will not miss out while the internal issues are being sorted.

He told parliament that he told Word Rugby that the Government will only support Samoan rugby if the right people are placed there to manage the sport.

“It’s the people’s wish. Not my wish,” said the Prime Minister.

“Now you say, you travelled, you have been accepted in the World Rugby Board and offered to host World Rugby and Oceania Rugby meetings on behalf of the Samoa government, when did we talk to do these things?” the PM asked Namulauulu.

Then he asked the MP to leave the matter as there are people waiting outside of parliament who need to be consulted in the matter.

Former Rugby Union Chairman, and Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele joined the debate and said, the important issue is the World Rugby support. He also stated that rugby depends on funding and accused the FAST Government of withholding funds needed for rugby.

Laauli responded that there is no evidence to support the accusation and the government never withheld funding to help Samoan rugby.

“The Australian funds meant for Samoan rugby will require the government to sign and the Government will be accountable for how the funds are spent. Why has Australia come to the Government? It means you need a change in the Unions management because you’ve failed in running Samoan rugby,” said the Prime Minister.

As the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia looms, Samoan rugby’s internal differences stand far from being resolved.