World Rugby Council seat goes to Lakapi Sāmoa chairman amid government standoff

Lakapi Sāmoa chairman Namulauulu Sami Leota has taken up Sāmoa's seat on World Rugby's governing Council.

The union says the appointment is "not about an individual" but about Sāmoa keeping its voice in global rugby. It comes amid an ongoing dispute with the government over the union's leadership.

Lakapi Sāmoa announced the confirmation this week, noting Sāmoa has held its Council place since 2018.

"It's not a hidden agenda now. It's out there that we're having these sorts of differences with the government," Namulauulu told William Terite on Pacific Mornings. He said the appointment showed World Rugby remained invested in the union, noting, "half of our funds are coming out from World Rugby."

He said the appointment was “a clear message that they are supporting the current status of Lakapi Sāmoa”.

The appointment lands in the middle of a months-long standoff between the union and Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, who has consistently signalled he is prepared to support a new, government-backed rugby body if the current leadership does not step aside.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, who said calls for change within the union reflect "the people's wish. Not my wish." Photo/Parliament of Sāmoa.

But not everyone reads World Rugby’s role so favourably. Last month, former Manu Sāmoa international and Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief executive Daniel Leo argued the global body had failed Sāmoa for years. He warned rugby in Sāmoa could collapse within five years without major reform, but cautioned that a rival union could risk sanctions if handled badly.

Longtime chairman and Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi did not seek reappointment at the end of his four-year term in March, with Namulauulu stepping in as interim chair.

Laaulialemalietoa pledged to start a rival union, and now ‘sub-units’ have formed a breakaway body, the Sāmoa Rugby Football Union, according to Talamua Media.

Watch Namulauulu Sami Leota's interview below.

Central to the tension has been the Veimoana Partnership, a five-year, AU$150 million (NZ$183.3m) Australian-backed proposal for rugby across Sāmoa, Tonga and Fiji. Sāmoa’s share is reported to be around AU$50 million (NZ$61.1m), which Laaulialemalietoa initially refused to sign but has since relented. The government has linked the release of funding to governance concerns within the union.

Lakapi Sāmoa describes the arrangement differently. Namulauulu told Pacific Mornings, “There’s no fund yet. It’s a proposal that’s been given to the Australian government,” he said, also adding he was thankful to the Prime Minister for signing the “proposal” now with the Australian government, with the finer details still under consideration.

The dispute also played out in Sāmoa’s parliament this week during the budget debate. Local media reported that Namulauulu used the debate to highlight upcoming World Rugby and Oceania Rugby meetings in Apia from 28 to 31 July.

Grassroots rugby in Sāmoa. Namulauulu says the game is "reviving at the moment... a breath of fresh air". Photo/Lakapi Sāmoa.

Laaulialemalietoa dismissed attempts to debate the issue in parliament, saying the matter should be resolved elsewhere. "It's the people's wish. Not my wish," he said of calls for change within the union. He also defended Sāmoa's role in the proposed Veimoana Partnership funding, saying Australia required the government to sign the agreement and oversee how any money is spent.

He rejected claims by Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi that the Faatuatua i le Atua Sāmoa ua Tasi government had withheld funding from rugby.

The Prime Minister's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Despite the dispute, Namulauulu said Sāmoan rugby was "reviving at the moment... a breath of fresh air". Three Tests against Japan, France and the USA are already confirmed ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup as Sāmoa looks to improve on its current world ranking of 20th.