PM committed to send Manu Samoa to 2027 World Cup

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 29 October 2026 – Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt has reiterated the Government’s stance to send Manu Samoa to the 2027 World Cup in Australia. But emphasized, the management must change.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday in response to the Faasaleleaga 3 MP, Namulau’ulu Sami Leota who is also the Chairman of Lakapi Samoa, the Prime Minister said the current division within Samoan rugby should have long been resolved.

Namulau’ulu told parliament that the key to resolving the differences was in the Prime Ministers hands. However, the Prime Minister told Namulau’ulu it was he who held the key to the solution as he and the union are on a divisive path with the players and dissatisfied sub unions.

He told Namulauulu that the accepted norm is that if a government or management are incapable, they should be changed.

“The underlying question, where and what is the status of Samoan rugby on the international stage?” he asked.

Namulauulu Leota Sami Leota, Chairman of Lakapi Samoa.

He said that now, the Chair of World Rugby is coming to Samoa to resolve the division within Samoan rugby.

“But you should have already resolved these differences. Pass the ball as Samoa is not without qualified people. But your management seem to keep holding on,” the Prime Minister said.

“If you truly love Samoan rugby, do what’s proper.”

The Prime Minister again made the call that the national rugby team, Manu Samoa, does not belong to the Union or anybody else, but the people of Samoa.

“The government is committed to send Manu Samoa to the (2027) World Cup. But the management must change,” he emphasized.

“Now I have agreed to bring SASNOC and World Rugby to undertake this. Then the Government will provide the needed support to ensure the country and peoples undivided support for the team.”

The Prime Minister referred to the significant financial support Government has given Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa for their World Cup campaigns now in progress.

“The Government stands ready to provide the same for Manu Samoa. But there must be a new management to take the team,” he said.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt speaking in parliament.

But Namulauulu insisted the team’s dismal performance is partly due the limited available windows for players to be released by their clubs to play for the national team.

“But Manu Samoa has not failed to attend every World Cup since (1991),” he also stated that Samoa is ranked 24 out of 140 teams.

The Prime Minister insisted that the results speak for the status of Samoan rugby.

“We are not going (to the World Cup) just to participate. We have been World Sevens Champions, and our past players put Samoa on a high pedestal despite the little money they had. Why? Because they were satisfied with the inclusive team management then,” he said.

The PM also cautioned that as Rugby Union struggles under the current division, he fears that the peoples support is shifting towards rugby league with Toa Samoas current performance.

He also said he awaits meeting with the World Rugby chair, as it is good for him to see for himself where the people’s passion and support sit.

Politicizing Samoan Rugby
One of the major arguments from the government is that the involvement of politicians in the leadership of the Rugby Union over the years, has politicized the sport and resulted in its dismal performance.

The Minister of Tourism and a former manager for a number of travelling rugby teams, Fata Ryan Schuster disputed Namulauulu’s claim. He stated that the World Cup 2011 was the last time Manu Samoa automatically qualified for the 2015 tournament. The team’s performance failed since then. For the 2027 World Cup, Manu Samoa narrowly qualified through a draw with Belgium in the last qualification round.

Fata also told Parliament that Samoan rugby had long been politicized. He pointed out that during the Manu Samoa vs Scotland match at Eden Park in May 2025, a few months to the general election, the HRPP campaign song was played during the match while Lakapi Samoa’s Chair was present.