Sāmoa rugby split widens as govt formally backs new union

Sāmoa now has two competing rugby union authorities with the government formally backing a new union while the international game continues to recognise Lakapi Sāmoa.

Cabinet approved the Sāmoa Rugby Football Union (SRFU) on 5 September as the body responsible for “governing and leading rugby in Sāmoa”.

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation is now working to formalise the arrangement and government support for SRFU as it takes on the restructuring and future development of rugby in Sāmoa.

But that decision has not changed Samoa’s position with World Rugby.

Lakapi Sāmoa remains listed as the country’s full member by the international governing body, a status Sāmoa has held since 1988.

Namulauulu Sami Leota, Lakapi Sāmoa chairman, also remains Sāmoa’s representative on the World Rugby Council, where he has been a member since June.

Lakapi Sāmoa chairman Namulauulu Sami Leota (L), pictured with Word Rugby Council Chairman, Dr Brett Robinson, remains Sāmoa’s representative on the World Rugby Council. Photo/File

World Rugby is continuing to include Manu Sāmoa in its international programme. On 31 August, it was confirmed Sāmoa will play Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain in the November leg of the Nations Cup.

That leaves a major question over what the government’s new recognition of SRFU could mean for Lakapi Sāmoa’s international role.

World Rugby rules require a full member to be recognised as the national governing body for rugby by its National Olympic Committee, Sports Council or Ministry of Sport.

Manu Sāmoa celebrate a win over Belgium in November 2025, securing their place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Photo/Manu Sāmoa

This includes other requirements like having its own constitution and authority to control rugby independently within its jurisdiction.

World Rugby’s membership process also requires decisions to go through its regional and executive structures before final consideration by its Council.

The government withdrew its recognition and financial support from Lakapi Sāmoa in July, citing concerns about its administration and divisions within Sāmoan rugby.

World Rugby continued to recognise Lakapi Sāmoa and proposed an independent review to address the government’s concerns.

Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, Lakapi Sāmoa chief executive, told the Samoa Observer on 3 September that the review had still not been finalised.

PMN News has asked World Rugby whether the government’s latest decision affects Lakapi Sāmoa’s membership or the proposed independent review. World Rugby had not responded at the time of publication.

Watch the June interview with Lakapi Sāmoa Chairman, Namulauulu Sami Leota, below.

For now, the split is playing out on two fronts.

The government is moving to establish SRFU as its recognised domestic rugby body, while Lakapi Sāmoa continues to hold Sāmoa’s place in the international game.

That comes as Manu Sāmoa prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Seumanu says preparations remain on track, with Sāmoa drawn in Pool E alongside France, Japan and the United States.

The November Nations Cup matches will also go ahead under Lakapi Sāmoa.

For Sāmoan rugby, the immediate issue is therefore not whether the country has a team ready to play internationally. It is which rugby body will ultimately have the authority to represent Sāmoa at home and on the world stage.