PM: “A New Ruby Union can easily be Established – if there are No Changes to Lakapi Samoa’s Leadership”

January 11, 2026

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Sunday Reading 11 January 2025 Apia Samoa. The Prime Minister of Samoa Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt has stated that Government has no confidence in the Leadership (pūlega) of Lakapi Samoa, and Government funds to the mother body will remain on hold (tāofia), as long as the current leadership remains.

“O le vaai a le Malo i le taimi lenei, matuā faaletonu lava le pulega a le lakapi a le atunuu.”

“A le suia le pūlega a le Lakapi Samoa i le taimi nei, e leai se mea e faia..”

“E tauvalea ai Samoa, tauvalea ai le Malo pe a tulai mai ni faafitauli.”

The Prime Minister was responding to questions from Tautai A’e ma le Malo program about the AUD$150 million deal over five years being offered by Rugby Australia for the Pacific nations of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, to each field a team in Australia’s local Super Rugby competition that currently consists of Waratahs, Western Force, Reds and Brumbies.

The deal requires the endorsement by the Governments of all three nations and Samoa’s Prime Minister had already stated that no such support will be given as long as the current leadership of Lakapi Samoa remains.

Speaking on the Tautai A’e ma le Malo program last Friday, Laaulialemalietoa once again called for a change in Lakapi Samoa’s leadership, stating that if push comes to shove, the set-up of a new mother body for rugby “will not be difficult” for the Government to do.

“E lē o se mea faigata le ō atu loa o le Malo e faatū se isi Iuni fou.”

The Prime Minister did also acknowledge that Lakapi Samoa was an independent incorporated society with its own Constitution, and said it was up to the individual Local Rugby Union members of Lakapi Samoa to make those changes.

“This is very simple if the [local affiliate] Rugby Union Members were united to come together and change its leadership, however, that is not the case,” said Laaulialemalietoa.

“E faigofie lava mea uma pe ana loto tasi Iuni laiti uma e omai e sui le mea lea, peitai, o lē o lenā..”

The Prime Minister said the Government is watching the situation closely and reiterated that the set-up of a new Union is an option if things don’t change.

Cocktail of the Month at Taumeasina Island Resort’s Manu Samoa Bar.

“E le o se mea faigata le tula’i loa o le Malo e faatū se Iuni. E le o se mea faigata – pe afai o le o’oo’oga lena o mea..”

The Prime Minister says it is not difficult for the Government to support the establishment of a new [mother body] Rugby Union, if that is what it comes down to as a last resort to change the leadership.

“Pe a faapea e fefeu le mataupu i le finau vale o le aualii lea e nonofo i totonu i le taimi nei.”

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that Lakapi Samoa was the organisation currently acknowledged by World Rugby.

“Ae o lea e fua agai le Iuni o loo amanaia mai e le Rugby Union International.”

The Prime Minister said he has met with Lakapi Samoa’s affiliate member Unions and the ball is in their Court to drive changes within the mother body.

The Chairperson of Lakapi Samoa is the Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. He has held the position for over 20 years.

Namulauulu Sami Leota has held the role of elected President since 2018. He was elected by Affiliate Unions over Sua Peter Schuster at the 2018 AGM. This is a four yearly elected role which is up for re-election in 2026.

Former Captain and Coach of Manu Samoa and now MP for Aleipata, Hon Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua, is one of two Upolu Union reps on the Board. Former HRPP MP for Safata, Leaana Ronnie Posala is the other Upolu Rugby Union rep.

The Prime Minister had last month called for a politician-free Lakapi Samoa Board and pleaded with the Opposition Leader, MPs and former MPs on the Lakapi Samoa Board to “please stand down.”