New Samoa Rugby Football Union launched

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 03 August 2026: A new rugby union, the Samoa Rugby Football Union (SRFU) was launched at the Sheraton Hotel, Apia last Friday evening reviving the old Samoa Rugby Union logo, and claiming to take over the administration and management of Samoan rugby as negotiations with World Rugby are in progress after the Samoan Government withdrew recognition and support of Lakapi Samoa last Wednesday.

SRFU is led by former Manu Samoa representative, Matafeo George Latu as Chairman, and supported by 16 Sub-Unions who were represented by their respective Presidents at the launch.

Registered on 29 June 2026, Matafeo said the new Union was initiated due to the current status of the sport that is impacting negatively on the future of Samoan rugby, the lack of innovation by the Board and management, the lack of trust by district rugby unions of Lakapi Samoa and the lack of accountability.

With the presence of former Manu Samoa players, the lawyer and former front-rower spoke of a distant past of the Manu Samoa golden days where they competed at the top against teams such as Australia, Wales, France and New Zealand.

Some of these games were held in Samoa.

“Those days are gone and we doubt if Samoa will ever see their beloved Manu Samoa play on home soil again in the next five years.”

The Chief Executive Officer Vodafone Samoa Ran Bose and former Samoa Rugby League President, Tagaloa Faafouina Su’a cutting the ribbon to unveil the Samoa Rugby Football Union’s logo.

Something very wrong with  Samoan rugby 
“Something is very wrong with Samoa rugby,” Matafeo said.

He said there is no secret about the poor performances of Samoas Manu Samoa 15s, the Manu Samoa 7 and U20 teams.

Currently Manu Samoa ranks 20 in the world behind Tonga, Chile and Spain.

“Chile and Spain are soccer countries and here they rank higher than Samoa and I just can’t believe it,” said Matafeo.

He pointed to the thrill when the Manu Samoa 7 team who captured the world when they won the Hong Kong 7s in 2010 and became world champions a few years later.

“There are now three tiers of the World Rugby Sevens Competition and Samoa is not even in the third tier.”

Although Samoa is qualified to compete in the World Cup 2027, it was luck that they won by points when they drew with Belgium.

Samoa now plays in the Tri-Nation Championship with teams such as Spain and Hong Kong for the next 5 years.

“No more games against France or Fiji because those teams are in the first tier and those teams are making millions,” he said.

“Samoa is not making any money because no one goes to an empty stand,” he said.

Call for politicians to stay in their lane
Matafeo said the real danger that contributed to the demise of Samoan rugby is having politicians involved in rugby as board members.

“Sports and politics do not mix because they can and have used sports to further their own political agenda,” said Matafeo.

“The politicians’ playing field is Tiafau, and for rugby, it is Apia Park. As the Rock said, Stay in your lane,” he said.

He also referred to the frustration raised by district rugby unions who have been left to fend for themselves without resources because of the lack of interest and support from the rugby union Board.

“The districts have been neglected for too long,” he said.

Board & Management Putting the Blame on someone else
Matafeo said with the poor state of affairs in Saman rugby, the Board and management have always put the blame on someone else.

“They blame the players, the coaches and the Government for the lack of funding support,” he said. “Not once have I heard the Board and Management owning up and claiming responsibility for the dire strait situation Samoan rugby is in.”

The sub union presidents then approached the Prime Minister for assistance who then called for the removal of politicians from rugby and according to Matafeo, the Government is entitled to do so because they have been providing funds for rugby for a long time.

“When the Government made the call for change and reform, the districts felt that their voices had finally been heard,” Matafeo said.

“For so long, no one paid any attention to the district unions.”

Matafeo believes the time for change has arrived where all districts come under one union and with the support of the District Development Project where they can carry out competitions for development of rugby at the grassroots level.

The importance of partnership with Government
Matafeo also emphasized the importance on partnership with the Government and Samoa being a very small nation, there is a need for such partnership.

“The truth is, the Government had funded Samoa rugby for many years and with the current situation with the $150 million proposed by Australia for Tonga, Fiji and Samoa, this partnership is essential,” he said.

He said sports need access to international financial support, and such assistance can only be made possible when it comes through the Government.

He is not sure where the $150m issue stands now but he is certain that the Government can easily decline such an offer.

He said rugby has to partner with the Government and take advantage of the funds rather than choosing to alienate the Government.

“Not good for rugby,” he said.

Greater faith needed to succeed
Reverend Tonu Mauafu, President of Faasalelelaga Rugby Union, led the launch with a spiritual encouragement. Other than a reverend, he is a strong rugby supporter who sees value in using rugby and sports as a platform for the development of young people at the village level.

As President of the Faasalelelaga Rugby Union, they founded the Iva Sevens Tournament and know first-hand, the difficulties faced by sub unions in the development of rugby and relations with the mother union, Lakapi Samoa.

Quoting from Mathew, and the story of a Canaanite woman’s faith who asked Jesus to heal her daughter possessed by a demon, he said “Great needs, require greater faith.”

The line became the quote of the night and offered spiritual encouragement to the new union as they embark on a huge challenge to rebuild Samoan rugby.

Congratulatory message from former Manu Samoa players
The highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the Samoa Rugby Football Union’s logo that revives the old rugby unions logo before the name was changed to Lakapi Samoa and using the Teuila flower as its emblem.

Then video clips of congratulatory messages from former Manu Samoa 15s and Manu Samoa 7s players including former Manu Samoa coach Su’a Peter Schuster were played.

A video compilation of Manu Samoa’s glorious past, and since breaking into the global stage against Wales in 1991, also drew quiet emotional reactions from those present.