World Rugby boss heads to Apia to break Sāmoa deadlock

World Rugby chairman Dr Brett Robinson is expected to visit Sāmoa this week for talks with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt as the international governing body moves to resolve a dispute over who controls the sport in the country.

The visit comes as the government pushes to clear any roadblocks that could derail Manu Sāmoa’s preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Laaulialemalietoa announced the visit during a ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday, making it clear that the future of the national rugby team takes priority over administrative fighting.

“Manu Sāmoa is the country’s team, it doesn’t belong to the rugby union,” he told parliament.

The dispute reached a critical point after the government withdrew recognition and financial backing from Lakapi Sāmoa in July, choosing instead to formally recognise the newly formed Sāmoa Rugby Football Union in September.

Despite the government's move, World Rugby’s official website still lists Lakapi Sāmoa as a full member, with its chairman Namulauulu Sami Leota holding Sāmoa’s seat on the World Rugby Council.

Chief executive of Lakapi Sāmoa Namulauulu Sami Leota (left) and World Rugby Chairman Dr Brett Robinson (right) pictured earlier this year. Dr Robinson is expected to visit Sāmoa this week for talks with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa over the country's ongoing rugby governance dispute. Photo/Supplied

The Prime Minister says Robinson’s visit is focused on addressing the problems within the local game and making a decision to protect Manu Sāmoa’s path to 2027.

He did not specify what decision was expected, or whether the talks would address the recognition of Sāmoa’s rugby governing body or the proposed independent governance review.

Former rugby administrator Faualo Harry Schuster warned last week that World Rugby would be forced to draw a line in the sand.

Sāmoa will face Japan, the United States and France in the pool stages of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, as preparations continue amid the country's ongoing rugby governance dispute. Photo/Rugby World Cup

“World Rugby can’t accept two bodies running rugby at the same time,” he told PMN News.

Faualo believes Lakapi Sāmoa’s membership and representation on the World Rugby Council have been suspended, although World Rugby has not confirmed any change in status.

Under World Rugby rules, any decision to admit, suspend, or expel a member union rests with its Council, which Robinson chairs.

When contacted by PMN News, Lakapi Sāmoa chief executive Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said he could not comment on Robinson’s visit.

But Seumanu previously confirmed Lakapi Sāmoa is willing to cooperate with a proposed independent governance review, maintaining that any decisions regarding its membership must follow World Rugby's official processes.

Watch (Sāmoan) Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt in Tuesday's parliament session below.

In a statement last week, World Rugby confirmed it remains in "active and constructive dialogue with all parties" to find a way forward.

PMN News has sought confirmation of Robinson's visit and further details from World Rugby.

With World Cup preparations on the line, Manu Sāmoa rugby fans will be waiting to see whether Robinson’s visit finally delivers the stability the team needs ahead of 2027.