World Rugby says no ultimatum given to Samoa over governance fiasco

World Rugby has refuted claims that it issued an ultimatum to Samoa regarding the governance of the sport within the country and threatened a ban from international competition. Reports indicated that the Samoan government was given a 24-hour deadline - Friday - to accept a review of its decision to discontinue support for Lakapi Samoa.

Prime Minister La auliavelalietoa Leuatea Schmidt had previously announced plans to establish a separate union to assume the role of Lakapi Samoa. World Rugby has denied the ultimatum reports and stated that they are actively engaged in discussions with all parties, with the aim of finding a positive resolution.

Samoa's opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, claimed that the country is facing suspension by World Rugby due to a "dirty political move" by the government, particularly by Prime Minister La auli. Tuilaepa made these remarks after the government decided to cease its support for Lakapi Samoa, citing unresolved internal issues and divisions within the national rugby union.

Recent reports suggested that Samoa risked a ban from World Rugby. World Rugby has requested responses from Lakapi Samoa and the Samoan government's press secretariat regarding Tuilaepa's comments.

The Samoan rugby crisis mirrors the political turmoil that led to Fiji's ban from the World Rugby Council in 2023. The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) was barred after the government effectively controlled the FRU for almost 15 months. The FRU was reinstated following the suspension but has since encountered additional challenges, including a dispute over player payments.

FRU chairman John Sanday revealed that the union had a contingency plan to prevent players from demanding unreasonable allowances during their recent Nations Championship tour in Europe, where they lost all three test matches to Wales, England, and Scotland. Sanday announced that the FRU would review the squad composition and prepare a standby team if the current players failed to adjust their attitude.