P.M. rubbishes boycott threat

“We would like to notify you that we have called for the resignation of a number of senior officials within the Samoan Rugby Union and will be boycotting our game against England on the 22nd of November should our feelings not be addressed”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has dismissed a threat by Manu Samoa players to boycott the test match against England, calling them “little kids” who don't know what they are doing.

Comparing the threat to a “gun” being held against the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U), Tuilaepa said the threat was brought by “two or three boys who are nearing retirement.”
He did not say who those players are.

But as the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, the Prime Minister was asked for a comment after the boycott made headlines around the world yesterday.

“The kids are very green,” Tuilaepa said. “(The boycott) is foolish thinking.”

The boycott threat was made in a letter written, signed by the players and sent to the International Rugby Board (I.R.B).

A copy of the letter was leaked to specialist British rugby website, The Rugby Paper, which published parts of it yesterday.

In the letter, senior players expressed their frustrations about the management of the S.R.U. These included concerns over a lack of financial transparency within the S.R.U, players being expected to pay airfares, coaches being denied a complete rein on selection and their team line-up being announced on social media websites before players are even notified.

"As players, we're unhappy with the incompetence of the Samoan Rugby Union in its current shape and under its current leadership," the letter said.

"We would like to notify you that we have called for the resignation of a number of senior officials within the Samoan Rugby Union and will be boycotting our game against England on the 22nd of November should our feelings not be addressed."

"As a unified players group, it is felt that these issues are affecting our success on the field and we can no longer play under such poor leadership."

Last week, a lacklustre Manu Samoa lost to Italy in a very dull match. On Monday, the team slipped on the I.R.B rankings to 11th.

Yesterday, Team Manager, Namulauulu Sami Leota, acknowledged the issue, saying the letter called on the S.R.U to increase allowances ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England next year.

“The core management was informed by the senior players at the Reg Camp (26th - 28th October) about their press release and we had a few meetings with them about their concerns,” Namulauulu told the Samoa Observer from France.

“By the time we left for Italy, the players representative advised us that their issues with the Union is now handled by the professional players association and the IRB. We were also advised at that stage that the England proposed boycott has been lifted and the tour schedule will proceed as planned.”

Namulauulu denied that this was a factor in the loss.

“The Italy preparation went well as this issue was well behind us and it was not a matter of discussion any further when we reached Italy,” he said.

“The players press release as far as I am concerned was not to be released out, and we are surprised that it now came out in the British Media."

“We are in the midst of preparing the team for the Canadian game and trainings went well in the past few days, working on areas that we needed to improve on from last weeks match. With this coming out, our prime role now is to keep the camp tight and keep focus on the task ahead.”

As the Manager, Namulauulu said the Manu Samoa is committed to ensure the test match against England is played.

“My prime role at this stage is to make sure that Manu Samoa will honour its schedule matches on this tour and the team will continue to stay focus and unified and with less disturbance for the next two games.”

The International Rugby Board also acknowledged receiving the letter from the players.

“On October 27, the I.R.B was made aware of concerns raised by the Samoa senior men's national squad regarding the administration of the Samoa Rugby Union. This included an indication that the players would withdraw from the match against England on November 22 if their concerns were not heard,” a statement from the I.R.B said.

“Subsequently, the I.R.B engaged in dialogue with the Samoa Rugby Union and the International Rugby Players' Association to facilitate urgent and collaborative resolution."

“With all parties, including the players, committed to ongoing dialogue, just under two weeks ago the players withdrew their proposed action to withdraw from the England match and the I.R.B fully expects the Union to undertake its obligation to honour its November Test programme commitment in full.”

During his weekly press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa reassured that the matter has already been sorted. He said it has only blown up now because of the media coverage but the issue was nothing new.

Tuilaepa said the players’ grievances were two-pronged and they have used the end of year tour programme as a "weapon" to try and force the hand of the Union.

The first issue, he said, involved allowances.

“It’s the thinking of little kids,” he said about the demand for higher allowances, adding that they are being pushed by “two or three senior boys who are nearing retirement.”

He added that they are “trouble makers” who have put money before country.

Tuilaepa went on to remind the players that for many of them, their professional contracts from which they are making a lot of money would not have been possible without international representation.

“And if it wasn't for Samoa, they wouldn't have been recognised,” the Prime Minister said.

“Let them be reminded that a lot of them got contracts because of the Manu Samoa. They would not have made it without Manu Samoa."

“Their bread is from professional contracts they achieved because of Manu Samoa. If they didn't play for Samoa, they wouldn't have gotten those big contracts."

“If they don't want to play, then don't come. There are many players here (in Samoa) who are looking for an opportunity.”

He added: “We are not forcing you. So submit your resignation and we’ll select new players. There are lots of players in Samoa. This thing appears to have been stirred by overseas-based players."

“The reality is that the Union doesn't have any money, we survive on funding from fundraising and sponsors.”

As for the second part of their grievances, Tuilaepa said they want to remove certain S.R.U officials.

“I wrote to them that our responsibilities have been separated. Theirs is to play while the management is to budget and find money for their allowances."

“Our job is easy if you play and win but it’s hard when you keep losing."

“It’s like a coin with two sides. Our side will improve if they play well. We’ve lost to Italy and yet we used to beat them."

“So they have no business in the appointment of the Committee of the S.R.U. Their role is to play, our role is to find ways to fund and give them more money so they can win and find (themselves) wives.”

Tuilaepa said the players’ position could force the government to rethink its priorities in terms of money that is allocated to sports.

Reminding that there are more sports than rugby, Tuilaepa said it might get to a point where the government will need to divert funding to other developments and focus solely on the Manu Samoa Sevens instead of the 15s.

He said that in his letters to them to address their “foolish thinking, I’m addressing them as a father would to kids who don't understand.

“You we’re spending millions on these things (rugby) and yet there are so much more developments needed by our country."

“My letters were written in Samoan and English. There are players who understand only English and then there are those who only understand Samoan.”

Lastly, Tuilaepa spoke about the rankings.

“We haven’t given Toa Samoa a lot of money and they’re now ranked fourth in the world,” he said. “How long have we tried to develop the Manu Samoa and yet we have slipped back to 11th?”

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