Samoa’s PM Wants a New Rugby Union as Incumbents Refuse to Budge

Apia, SAMOA – 6 March 2026 – Samoa’s Prime Minister says he is still waiting for a response from the Samoa Rugby Union – Lakapi Samoa about the future of the incumbent administration as the Rugby Australia 5-year development program is being negotiated with Samoa, Tonga and Fiji governments.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa met with Rugby Australia’s General Manager of Government Relations and Pacific Partnerships, Daniel Millis, and Cultural Liaison Officer Fa’alafi Pa Enari on Monday this week. Then met with David Gibson of World Rugby and later a zoom meeting with the Chairman of World Rugby on Tuesday morning.

The focus is on the rugby union – Lakapi Samoa as Rugby Australia and World Rugby wanted to come to Samoa and find out for themselves what is happening on the ground given the conflicting information reaching them overseas.

Rugby Australia’s program called VAIMOANA is a $150M five-year Partnership funded by the Australian government for the development of rugby in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

“What this new partnership model does is, it will take that rugby exchange between our countries to the next level,” said Daniel Millis.

“So, we’re looking at establishing a new competition that will run towards the end of the year at the current Super Rugby Australia window and would give Samoa an opportunity to play against the Australian Super Rugby teams from Australia as well as the Fijian Drua by establishing a new club rugby side in Samoa and Tonga to take part in that competition.”

This funding will be used to benefit rugby across the region with main activities being increased in competition between Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Australian teams, both men’s and women’s rugby.

There is direct investment into pathways, high performance academies, and some of those off the field positions, including rugby administration, match officials, coaching, and so on.

David Gibson of World Rugby and Daniel Millis of Rugby Australia after meeting with longtime Lakapi Samoa Chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, President Namulau’ulu Sami Leota and some Board members on Tuesday.

The partnership however is being delayed as Samoa’s Prime Minister is holding off signing it until he is clear that the government has a say in the disbursement and allocation of funds as it will need to report back to Australia.

The Vaimoana partnership requires the involvement of the respective governments of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to sign in order for the funds to be disbursed when the partnership is in place.

But the problem is the governance in Lakapi Samoa where there had been a public outcry from players, former coaches and supporters for the management to step down given the appalling performance of Samoan rugby in all teams with its flag carrier, Manu Samoa narrowly qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in the last qualifying tournament.

Longtime Prime Minister and Chairman of Lakapi Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has criticized Laauli for politicizing the sport and that he should sign and allow the proposed partnership to proceed. His position as the Leader of the parliamentary Opposition has also been floated as a reason for the Prime Ministers stalling to sign.

The Samoan rugby issue got prominence during last weeks visit by the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong who said to let the Samoan government and rugby resolve their issues.

But she emphasized that Australia wanted to see a proper framework in place the development of rugby for the three unions, going forward.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a media conference where the rugby partnership was a hot topic.

The Prime Minister however is adamant that he does not want the funds to go back to the current rugby management given the poor performance of the national rugby teams and questionable governance issues within the union.

Laauli said he wrote to Lakapi Samoa management two months ago and still they have not responded meaning they do not want to step down.

The Prime Minister has also made it clear to Australia and World Rugby that Samoa does not want to miss out on the assistance for the development of national rugby.

He is also to speak with the Prime Ministers of Australia, Fiji and Tonga regarding the funding.

In the meetings with Rugby Australia and World Rugby this week, the Prime Minister asked for Samoa to resolve its internal issues.

He also indicated that if the current rugby management do not want to step down, then the only option is to establish a new Samoa Rugby Union and asked for World Rugby’s recognition and support.

In the past weeks, presidents of several district rugby unions have been seeking the Prime Ministers assistance and indicated their willingness to form a new union under the current circumstances.

The Prime Minister has also emphasized his intention to have a rugby union free of political influence and given to people with the passion and heart for the sport to run and develop so as to restore the pride now sadly lost on Samoan rugby over recent years.

Action from the weekends club rugby competition.