Manu Samoa to compete at 2027 World Cup under SASNOC

Apia, SAMOA – 31 October 2026 – Manu Samoa’s preparations and participation in the 2027 World Cup in Australia will be under the control and jurisdiction of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) with joint oversight from an appointed stewardship group.

This is one of the major outcomes of meetings in Apia this week between the Chairman of World Rugby Manūmailagi Dr Brett Robinson and the Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt on future arrangements for Rugby in Samoa.

World Rugby issued a statement this morning to clarify the agreed future arrangements for Rugby in Samoa following “inaccurate recent reporting on the matter.”

World Rugby, the Government of Samoa, Lakapi Samoa and the Samoa National Olympic Committee have agreed a process to ensure Samoa and its players continue competing at the sport’s highest levels during a governance review. The agreement follows productive meetings in Apia this week led by World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson and Prime Minister Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.

The agreed steps address concerns about the union’s governance and administration raised with World Rugby earlier this year by the Prime Minister on behalf of the government. Those concerns prompted immediate dialogue between all parties to resolve the issues and agree a way forward.

All parties agreed that it was imperative that the union’s high-performance programmes remain unaffected, with Samoa’s national teams committed to participating in Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, the World Rugby Nations Cup, WXV Global Series Challenger and sevens programmes.

Following constructive dialogue between all parties, the following interim measures will be implemented with immediate effect:

• The suspension of Lakapi Samoa from the World Rugby Council, which has been facilitated by the immediate voluntary stepping back of the union’s board, while a full review is undertaken.
• Appointment of an Independent Review Group, the membership of which shall be agreed by Lakapi Samoa and the Government of Samoa, to review all issues pertaining to the governance of Samoan rugby.
• A review of Lakapi Samoa’s compliance with World Rugby’s membership criteria by a World Rugby oversight committee to oversee a roadmap to readmission.
• Transfer of control and jurisdiction of all matters relating to the High-Performance Programme in Samoa, to Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SA SNOC) with joint oversight from an appointed stewardship group. This group shall be responsible for all matters on and off the field relating to the national teams including their preparation and participation in a global elite competition such as the Rugby World Cup 2027.

All parties agreed that all current domestic rugby activities taking place in Samoa shall remain unaffected.

The proactive support of SASNOC in working closely with World Rugby to safeguard player high-performance pathways and opportunities is greatly appreciated by all stakeholders.

The independently led governance and operational review will examine all areas of Lakapi Samoa’s activity and provide an interim report in advance of the union’s AGM in November 2026.