Iliesa Tora
RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist
A new rugby
union has been launched in Samoa, despite efforts by the
sport’s global governing body to mediate a resolution to the
current impasse between the Samoan government and Lakapi
Samoa.
Media reports out of Apia says the new Samoa
Rugby Football Union (SRFU), a rival organisation to Lakapi
Samoa, was launched at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel
on Friday evening.
At the same time, there are reports
that Lakapi Samoa chairman Afioga Namulauulu Papali’i Leota
Sami Leota and his board members have stepped aside pending
a review.
The new body was launched just two days
after the Samoan government anounced it was withdrawing
support for Lakapi Samoa, throwing the future of the sport
in the country into disarray.
Both the Samoa
Observer and the Talamua Online News reported the
new body was launched over the weekend.
SRFU secretary
Tafafunai Aialii Anapu stated the organisation remained
committed to its establishment and its vision of uniting
Samoa’s rugby community.
RNZ Pacific sources says
World Rugby had given conditions given to government,
although World Rugby has denied
giving an ultimatum, stating it was “in dialogue with
all parties in a mediator role”.
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The Pacific Rugby
Players Welfare (PRPW) said in a Facebook post that Lakapi
Samoa board chairman Afioga and his board members have
stepped aside pending a review.
“A caretaker Board to
be appointed in the interim,” the PRPW said.
“Tough
times but excited what lies ahead for Samoan rugby. A total
reset was required.”
Lakapi Samoa has not responded to
RNZ Pacific’s questions about Lakapi Samoa board
resignations.
But Talamua Online News said the
new union is led by former Manu Samoa representative Matafeo
George Latu as chairman.
It reported the new union is
supported by 16 sub-unions, which were represented by their
respective presidents at the launch.
Matafeo told
attendees at the launch 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.
“Something is very wrong with Samoa
rugby,” Matafeo said at the launch.
“What
saddens me more is lack of accountability for the
underperformance of our teams with the blame being put on
the players, on the coaches, and even on the government for
not providing enough funds.
“Not once have I heard
those that govern rugby in Samoa own up or take
responsibility for the dire state of Samoan
rugby.”
Matafeo added that sports and politics cannot
mix.
“There is a real danger that politicians on
sports board can, and have, used sports to further their own
political agendas.”
Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea
Schmidt had publicly revealed that he was not supportive of
Lakapi Samoa’s board, including former PM Tuilaepa
Sailele Malielegaoi, who was board chairman until he
resigned earlier this year.
La’auli had threatened to
start a rival union.
Tuila’epa had warned earlier that
a rival union and government’s interference could be bad for
Samoa Rugby, as that could see their suspension by World
Rugby.
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