Scotty Stevenson: Samoan Rugby Union disrespects the players and the game
The Samoa Rugby Union needs a hand up, not a hand out. Scotty Stevenson says it also needs a complete administrative overhaul and an end to the culture of intimidation, cronyism and silence that disrespects the players and the game.
Here we are again, then. Samoan rugby’s Overlord, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Maliegaoi is passing around the dish to save the union’s blushes after yet another year of poor financial management, and organisational ineptitude. He has declared the union bankrupt, but it’s a moral bankruptcy that should be of more concern than a financial one.
There is a terrible culture of bullying at play here and the victims are the players who want to represent their country on the world stage. Few seem willing to criticise the Samoa Rugby Union because of it. Those that do are quickly moved on. Just ask Mahonri Schwalger, who captained the side to the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and who was quickly jettisoned by the selectors after daring to lift the lid on the farcical management performance during the tournament.
The prime minister’s grip on the union – he is the chairman – has long been a matter of genuine concern for the players, and many of the fans, who have questioned his interference in high performance matters. As recently as the last world cup, in 2015, Schwalger addressed Samoa’s early exit from the tournament, saying “We’ve got to stop playing politics. It’s about rugby.”
Just yesterday, Daniel Leo, the former Manu Samoa lock who agitated for better financial transparency from the union during a proposed player strike in 2014 and who now helps run Pacific Rugby Player Welfare, a fully independent organisation created to support professional players of Pacific origin, told BBC Radio, “[During that process] we didn’t manage to overthrow the prime minister as chairman of the rugby union. The problem is we have people making decisions without any business acumen or professional rugby nous who are voted in because people are scared not to vote them in because they are powerful politicians.”
Just consider Leo’s choice of words for a moment. “Overthrow the prime minister” is not a phrase you hear every day.
Other well-known advocates for better outcomes for Pacific Islands rugby, such as Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu have also despaired at the latest development for the Samoa Rugby Union. In a tweet yesterday he said:
You know Peter Schuster is back in there in a high position. I can't deal anymore. I think just let it die. It's the only way to be able to plant something better. https://t.co/B16WjxuaJK
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) November 8, 2017
To place some context around Fuimaono-Sapolu’s comments, he has also taken a well-known stand against what he considers an oppressive world rugby regime that does little more than throw scraps to the Pacific nations. In part of a further tweet, referring to the upcoming Autumn tests, he says:
Don't you dare place blame solely on Samoa! In what fucked up world did RFU think taking ALL gate money from sold out tests with Pacific nations would help grow the game? Selfish twats! Enjoy playing by yourselves in the most bullshit "global" game. https://t.co/Q7kMIJrZZV
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) November 8, 2017
It is obvious – and has long been so – that rugby’s hegemony all but ensures the Pacific Islands will never have the resources they require to grow into a global force in the game, despite – or because – of their position as net exporters of talent. However, it is equally clear that the current Samoan set-up has done nothing to give itself a fighting chance to redress the imbalances.
Men like Schwalger, Leo and Fuimaono-Sapolu all have taken different approaches to the same challenge: how to ensure the future health of rugby in Samoa. To date, all have heightened awareness of the disgraceful gap between the Tier One unions and the Pacific, but none have been successful in separating the Samoan State from the management of its rugby union.
The Prime Minister, aided and abetted by those attracted to this kind of cause célèbre, created much political capital in 2015 when he announced the All Blacks would play a historic test in Apia. Those familiar with the parlous state of the union’s accounts at the time cautioned against the move, fearing it would only worsen the existing problem. For all the joy that game may have brought to the Samoan people (and few could argue against the romanticism of the venture) the union was left a further NZD$1 million in debt. That takes an awful lot of sausage sizzles to repay.
Now they cannot pay. That is the message from the man with whom the buck must first stop, the chairman of the union. It is time to for the prime minister to relinquish his control of the sport. Samoan rugby needs a new generation of men who can take its fair claims to the world body, and a world body who will actually listen.
DISCLOSURE:
I am aware that I am Palagi, writing about Samoan rugby. The above is an opinion piece on the management of Samoan rugby, based on discussions held over a long period of time with many insiders, some of whom have been too scared to come forward. I do not have full knowledge of Samoa’s political and cultural institutions and wish to make clear that this column makes no claim to the contrary.
I was against the test in Apia on the basis that it was patently obvious it would only make Samoan rugby’s financial situation worse than before. I am on record as having held this opinion at the time.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments