Samoa’s Theo McFarland (calling) during the Manu Siva Tau before the game against Argentina on 23 September, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. Photo: AFP/ Ashley Western
The chairman of Lakapi Samoa says 2024 was about improving the union's financial siuation.
Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi spoke with RNZ Pacific after a letter stating the company's decision to pull out of its Northern Hemisphere tour was leaked.
In the letter, dated 11 July 2024, seen by RNZ Pacific, Tu'ilaepa wrote to World Rugby's chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, stating that the decision "is a direct result of the significant financial challenges currently facing Lakapi Samoa".
The former Samoan prime minister said while they are unable to meet the union's financial needs, this year is about boosting their finances with new approaches to their sponsors.
"Lakapi Samoa has been facing many financial problems ever since our government left," he said.
"Manu Samoa needed a lot of financial support, which has been cut by the present government, and so we were unable to meet the financial needs.
"The union's decision to forgo the Northern European tour this year was to enable us to improve our finances with new approaches to our sponsors."
Lakapi Samoa has since talked again to sponsors and a bank that is willing to help out.
It is also preparing for its 100-year celebrations in the hope that more funds will be raised.
"We have since talked again to other sponsors, as well as possible donations from the 100 years celebration we are scheduled to do over the next several months; it is hoped that we will be able to get sufficient donations to help us out."
When asked by RNZ Pacific whether or not he'd consider resigning - due to public comments on social media about the current management needing to step down - Tu'ilaepa said Lakapi Samoa receives a lot of criticism from the people who do not help them.
"We receive much criticism from the people who never give us any money, nor help us; they complain quite a lot but do nothing, especially some of the older players who have their own complaints.
"But without any help, we just ignore them, and that's the reality."
Tu'ilaepa said these problems would not have arisen if his party was in government.
"We would continue to help all sports, not just the rugby."
Lakapi Samoa Chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Photo: Supplied/Lakapi Samoa
However, a World Rugby spokesperson said the financial problems "are a direct consequence of decisions taken by the union".
The spokesperson said Samoa, and the Pacific Islands more broadly, play an important role in the rugby story worldwide; and World Rugby is in active dialogue with the union and its stakeholders to determine possible solutions to ongoing financial challenges and foster a strategy of long-term stability.
"It should be noted that World Rugby makes a substantial annual investment in Lakapi Samoa high performance and development programmes, and the current financial challenges are a direct consequence of decisions taken by the union."
The spokesperson said the cooperation of all stakeholders is necessary to identify long-term solutions, rather than short-term mitigations.
"As such, the Lakapi [union] made the decision earlier this year to withdraw from the November test schedule.
"It was a decision that was supported by World Rugby on the basis that World Rugby would underwrite Samoa's participation in the new Pacific Nations Cup, an important competition in the new international calendar with direct links to future Rugby World Cup and Nations Cup division two qualification.
"This is in addition to significant ongoing investment in the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise and Samoa's WXV and age grade competition participation."
Since the story was published on Tuesday, Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who is also the Tonga Rugby president, has come out in support of Lakapi Samoa.
"This is the sad reality of the beloved rugby game in the Pacific," Hu'akavameiliku wrote in a Facebook post.
"There needs to be better way of supporting rugby by World Rugby and sponsors.
"Hard to play well when you don't have the necessary resources. Hard to get the resources when you are not playing well...not a win-win situation."