Lakapi Samoa has dropped the ball for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour by withdrawing its participation citing major financial constraints.

A letter penned by Lakapi Samoa Chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to the Chairman of World Rugby, To’oto’omua Sir Bill Beaumont confirmed the union’s latest position. 

The correspondence dated 11^t July 2024 stated “The decision has not been made lightly and is a direct result of the significant financial challenges currently facing Lakapi Samoa”.

Tuilaepa said the commitment to the sport of rugby and desire to compete at the highest level remains resolute. He noted a recent visit from World Rugby’s delegation to Samoa in July where the matter was discussed.  

However, the financial realities faced by Lakapi Samoa necessitate a more cautious approach to international engagements to ensure its long term sustainability and stability. 

“This is a crucial decision to prevent a recurrence of the circumstances that had previously impacted Lakapi Samoa,” he added, “and avoid the embarrassment of being the first small union to go bankrupt”. 

“We tried very hard to follow good governance principles but in reality, the lack of sponsorships in small economies is the greatest challenge stifling our efforts in growing and sustaining the sport.”  

The chairman continued to state how Lakapi Samoa value the support and partnership it has with World Rugby. 

He said as a country Samoa made substantial contributions to the game, consistently producing world-class talent and showcasing a unique brand of rugby on the international stage. 

He said the financial burden associated with maintaining such a high level of participation is becoming increasingly challenging and unsustainable. 

Given these challenges, Lakapi Samoa believes there is a critical need for more strategic interventions and support from World Rugby. 

“While we appreciate the existing frameworks of support, we believe that a more targeted approach could make a significant difference,” Tuilaepa wrote. 

“We propose the exploration of targeted initiatives that can make a genuine and lasting difference for a country the size of Samoa. 

“This could include enhanced financial assistance, and more robust support structures to help us navigate the complexities of international competition. 

“Importantly for Lakapi Samoa, this would enable us to continue contributing to the global rugby community without compromising our financial stability.”

This development means that Manu Samoa's last international engagement would be the Pacific Nations Cup which kicks off in three weeks. The PNC also serves as the World Cup qualifying tournament.

Manu Samoa has two matches in the region in August that includes the Flying Fijians on 23 August and Ikale Tahi on 26 August. If Manu Samoa finishes in the top two, they will head for the semi-finals to be played either in Japan or the USA, giving them a chance to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.