Samoa's Test captain and head coach have gone over the heads of the administrators and written directly to the prime minister, warning that the country's place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup is at risk.
In a letter seen by RNZ Pacific, Manu Samoa captain Theo McFarland and head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pisi addressed Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt after his government announced on Wednesday that it was withdrawing support from Lakapi Samoa, the national union, citing "unresolved internal issues and division".
"Our greatest concern is the possibility that the current situation could result in sanctions from World Rugby," the letter said. "Such an outcome could deny Samoa the opportunity to compete at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite the years of sacrifice, commitment and hard work that have earned our qualification."
The pair were careful to stay out of the politics. They wrote that they were not taking sides, and that the appeal was made "not for any individual or organisation, but for the players, the future of Samoan rugby, and the best interests of Samoa".
"For us, the Rugby World Cup is about far more than rugby," they wrote. "It is an opportunity to represent our flag, our families and our people on the world stage, while inspiring the next generation of Samoan players."
Their intervention landed in the middle of a week of claim and counter-claim. The Samoa Observer reported that World Rugby had given the government 24 hours — until Friday — to accept a review of its decision, and that failure to do so could result in a four-year suspension from international rugby.
World Rugby has flatly denied that. A spokesperson told RNZ Pacific: "We are in active and constructive dialogue with all parties and remain focused on a positive resolution." The governing body has confirmed it is acting as a mediator, and its representatives met the prime minister on Friday morning before holding separate talks with the rival Samoa Football Rugby Union.
Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who chaired Lakapi Samoa for more than 26 years before stepping down in March, has been the loudest voice against the government. He called the withdrawal of support "a dirty political move".
"The government does not provide the Samoa Rugby Union with any financial assistance, there are no internal issues, it's political madness on the part of the prime minister," Tuilaepa told RNZ Pacific.
Asked whether he feared a suspension, he was unrepentant — and openly invited one. "I am not worried. If World Rugby wants to do that, that is the proper thing to do. Our people chose the government and therefore if our people suffer, that is what our country wants."
He went further: "World Rugby should not bend to a country where its leadership is so stupid it becomes involved in political decisions that are hurtful to the young people of our country. If the majority of Samoans end up regretting that young rugby players are banned at a world level, they should go and talk to the prime minister they voted for."
Tuilaepa has also softened his position in other settings, telling a press conference that "rugby cannot progress without the government's assistance and support".
The prime minister has framed the move as a reset rather than an attack. He said the decision was "to assist reset Samoan rugby", that it followed "months of consultations, and space given to find an amicable resolution", and pointed to the concerns raised by former players and coaches about "the deteriorating status of Samoan rugby on the world stage". His government, he said, remains committed to the sport's development and will decide which body to back in future.
Namulauulu Papalii Sami Leota, the elected Lakapi Samoa president and now interim chairman, declined to be drawn. "We are holding discussions with World Rugby and the Government at the moment for a way forward and I'm sorry I am unable to comment," he told Samoa Global News.
The dispute has an obvious precedent in the region. Fiji was suspended from the World Rugby Council in 2023 over government interference in the Fiji Rugby Union, and was only reinstated after almost 15 months.