Why I resigned, Dan Leo reveals

Veteran Manu Samoa lock, Daniel Leo, has broken his silence over his abrupt retirement from international rugby.

The former captain shocked the rugby world at the beginning of the week when he announced his retirement from the Manu Samoa ahead of the historical All Blacks test match in July as well as the Rugby World Cup in September.

In a statement to the Weekend Observer yesterday, Leo revealed that he was dropped from the extended squad.

“After making myself available for this year’s historic All Blacks test and Rugby World Cup, I recently received a phone call from the team management with the news that I was dropped,” he wrote.

“I can honestly say that this was the most disappointing news that I have had to deal with during my career. On the back of that news, I decided I would take the opportunity to announce my retirement.”

Asked who from the Manu Samoa management contacted him, Leo revealed that it was Coach Stephen Betham.

It was not possible to get a comment from the Samoa Rugby Union yesterday although questions were sent to them. In an emailed response from the Union, the Weekend Observer was assured that “someone will come back to you.”

No response was forthcoming at press time.

According to Leo, “I wasn't given much of a reason (for being dropped from the team).”

Asked if he suspects that his outspoken nature against the Samoa Rugby Union has cost him his place in the team, Leo said; “Unfortunately I do believe that the politics had something to do with this but that was a risk that I was prepared to take when we made that stand as a team in November. I guess someone has to take the bullet.” In his statement, Leo said playing for Samoa has been a “dream come true.”

He assured that he will always support the Manu Samoa and he also called upon members of the public to continue to support Samoan rugby.

The following is Leo’s statement in verbatim:

"After making myself available for this year’s historic All Blacks test and Rugby World Cup, I recently received a phone call from the team management with the news that I was dropped.

I can honestly say that this was the most disappointing news that I have had to deal with during my career.

On the back of that news, I decided I would take the opportunity to announce my retirement.

Playing with Samoa has been a dream come true.

Even though I don't speak Samoan and weren't born here, I have always been a Manu supporter and always will be.

Since the days when my father would wake me up to watch the 1991 team playing in the World Cup, I knew that the only team I wanted to play for was the Manu. Over the last ten years I have been lucky enough to do that, even playing with some of my boyhood heroes Brian Lima and Peter Fatialofa.

Samoan rugby has its problems and I don't want to bring those up again here. What I do want to say is this: Please don't give up on Samoan rugby.

There are still good people involved who are doing amazing things and they need your support.

Semo Sititi with the under 20s, Tanner Vili with the Manu Sina, George Stowers and Mahonri Schwalger with the RAS, Alama Ieremia with the HPU to name but a few.

These people involved and giving back to the game gives us hope for a brighter future. I hope that by moving into the players association, I too can give something back to the team and people that have given me so much support and joy over the years.

Soifua and God bless.”