World Rugby has confirmed that the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) will now oversee the high-performance rugby programme in Samoa.
A statement issued on Friday said this was agreed by the Government of Samoa, Lakapi Samoa and the Samoa National Olympic Committee during meetings held in Apia on Thursday.
The meetings were attended by World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson.
SASNOC will work with an appointed stewardship group.
World Rugby said the group and SASNOC shall be responsible for all matters on and off the field relating to the national teams, including their preparation and participation in global elite competitions such as Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
The stakeholders have agreed a process to ensure Samoa and its players continue competing at the sport’s highest levels during a governance review.
The agreement follows productive meetings in Apia this week led by Robinson and Prime Minister of Samoa, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and Lakapi Samoa.
‘Agreed steps’
“The agreed steps address concerns about Lakapi Samoa’s governance and administration raised with World Rugby earlier this year by the Hon. Prime Minister on behalf of the government,” World Rugby said in a statement.
“Those concerns, and those of other rugby stakeholders, prompted immediate dialogue between all parties to resolve the issues and agree a way forward.
“All parties agreed that it was imperative that the union’s high-performance programmes remain unaffected, with Samoa’s national teams committed to participating in Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, the World Rugby Nations Cup, WXV Global Series Challenger and sevens programmes.”
Part of the agreed steps to be taken includes the ‘self-suspension’ of Lakapi Samoa from the World Rugby Council.
“This self-suspension can only be lifted by a future request to the Executive Board of World Rugby and a subsequent recommendation to the World Rugby Council,” World Rugby said.
“In any event, the self-suspension shall remain in place during the review processes referenced below.”
The appointment of a Samoan-led Independent Review Group, the membership of which shall be agreed by Lakapi Samoa and the Government of Samoa, to review all issues pertaining to the governance of Samoan rugby will also be done.
Plus a review of Lakapi Samoa’s compliance with World Rugby’s membership criteria by a World Rugby oversight committee.
All parties agreed that domestic rugby activities taking place in Samoa shall remain unaffected.
Government withdrew their support of Lakapi Samoa three months ago, with a new union set up by former Manu Samoa players.
That now means that two national unions are managing different aspects of rugby programmes in Samoa.
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