World Rugby boss Brett Robinson, who is in Apia to resolve a standoff between the Samoan government-backed national rugby union and global governing body-backed Lakapi Samoa, has been made a chief.
Robinson held crisis talks with Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Schmidt regarding the management and future of rugby in the country. He also met Lakapi Samoa officials separately.
A special cultural ceremony was held to welcome Robinson and he was bestowed with the honorary matai (chiefly) title of Manūmailagi by the people of Samoa.
Robinson is in Apia for talks with Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Schmidt around the management of rugby in the country.
Samoa Government
The Samoan government said Robinson met with La’auli and his senior ministers and held discussions on Thursday afternoon.
Robinson also gifted the prime minister a 2027 Rugby World Cup ball, “which they both signed as a symbol of their meeting”, it said in an update on Thursday.
La’auli withdrew support for Lakapi Samoa three months ago due to differences with Lakapi Samoa’s board and management.
He followed through with his threat to set up a rival union, with the launch of the Samoa Rugby Football Union in August.
Speaking at the traditional ceremony, La’auli declared that Samoa loves rugby.
“We will always support the vision of our great-grandparents and our parents, the pioneers which start the game,” he said.
“They are all on your side right now,” he told Robinson.
“We have to make sure Samoa will take part [in the] 2027 World Cup. We are not [going to be] there just to participate.
“It is the vision and the mission by our former rugby players, former coaches, and everyone that plays for Samoa in the diaspora, and your coming today is the strengthening of our relationship between our government and World Rugby.”
He added that Samoa can “be the best in the world because we play from the heart, not by wealth or not by money”.
Robinson thanked the Samoan government for “the great privilege of coming to your country”.
“You are one of the great global rugby nations,” he said, adding that “When I was a young boy, I had the privilege of coming to play here.”
In its update, Lakapi Samoa said its meeting with Robinson on Thursday was an “opportunity to strengthen relationships, discuss the future of Samoan rugby and the continued partnership with World Rugby”.
Meanwhile, the Samoa Observer is reporting that Manu Samoa would compete at next year’s World Cup in Australia under Lakapi Samoa, citing “sources familiar with Thursday’s talks”.
