Samoa's prime minister has defended a $US100,000 donation the American Samoan government made to the Manu Samoa rugby team.
Manu Samoa came up short against Georgia. Photo: Facebook/Georgian Rugby
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi defended the donation at a fundraising radiothon held two weeks ago in American Samoa.
Another $US50,000 was raised from other sources during the radiothon.
There's been an angry reaction from the public in American Samoa regarding the donation towards Samoa's Rugby World Cup campaign.
One of the main complaints was that $US100,000 had been promised to the recent American Samoan Pacific Games team, but only $US20,000 was given.
Tuilaepa said public opinion is part of a democratic society and people have a right to complain.
However, he said despite American Samoa being under a different political rule to his country, as Samoans they are all one people.
Samoa PM and Police Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoai Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
According to Newsline Samoa, Tuilaepa, who is also the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, saw the generous donation as a reflection of the two Samoas coming together.
"We are all Samoans, and it important that even if you're in American Samoa, we are all one race of people."
Tuilaepa said his long-term dream is for American Samoa to one day become independent and benefit from the same opportunities Samoa is enjoying as an independent nation.