Samoa pulls out of its Northern Hemisphere tour due to financial challenges

The national rugby team of Samoa has pulled out of its Northern Hemisphere tour due to "significant financial challenges" and to "avoid embarrassment of being the first small union to go bankrupt".

In a letter, dated 11 July 2024, seen by RNZ Pacific, Lakapi Samoa board chair, Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, wrote to World Rugby's chairman Sir Bill Beaumont that the decision "is a direct result of the significant financial challenges currently facing Lakapi Samoa".

The former Samoa prime minister said: "Our commitment to the sport of rugby and our desire to compete at the highest level remains resolute. However, the financial realities we face necessitate a more cautious approach to our international engagements to ensure the long-term sustainability and stability of Lakapi Samoa.

He added: "This is a crucial decision to prevent a recurrence of the circumstances that has previously impacted Lakapi Samoa, and avoid an embarrassment of being the first small union to go bankrupt."

Lakapi Samoa "tried very hard" to follow good governance practices, but a lack of financial backing has hindered their efforts, the letter said.

"…the lack of sponsorships in small economies is the greatest challenge stifling our efforts in growing and sustaining the sport."

'Enhanced financial assistance'

Rugby is Samoa's national sport with an estimated 5,000 active rugby players from a country total population of 200,000.

The Samoa national rugby team or Manu Samoa is ranked 13th in the world.

The letter said Lakapi Samoa valued its partnership we have with World Rugby, emphasising Samoa's contributions to the game and "world-class talent and unique brand of rugby", but it noted that "the financial burden associated with maintaining such a high level of participation is becoming increasingly challenging, and unsustainable".

"Given these challenges, we believe there is a critical need for more strategic interventions and support from World Rugby. While we appreciate the existing frameworks of support, we believe that a more targeted approach could make a significant difference.

"We propose the exploration of targeted initiatives that can make a genuine and lasting difference for a country the size of Samoa. This could include enhanced financial assistance, and more robust support structures to help us navigate the complexities of international competition."

These would enable the union to continue contributing to the world rugby without compromising its financial stability," the letter said.

"We are committed to working collaboratively with World Rugby to develop solutions that will ensure the sustainability and growth of Samoan rugby."

RNZ Pacific has contacted Lakapi Samoa and World Rugby for comment.