Former Manu Samoa player and the chief executive officer of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, Daniel Leo, warned that rugby in Samoa could collapse within five years unless major reforms are made at Lakapi Samoa and new leaders are allowed to take control of the sport.

Leo, who played 39 test matches for Manu Samoa and is now chief executive of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, said political influence continues to affect the running of rugby in Samoa despite former chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi stepping down after more than 20 years in charge.

Speaking to ABC Radio Australia, Leo said the current structure of the union has changed little, with interim chairman Namulauulu Sami Leota taking over after Tuilaepa stepped down.

Leo also warned that reports of a possible new rugby union being formed by the government could create more problems for the Samoa rugby and risk conflict with World Rugby.

He said Samoa could face suspension from international competitions if changes are not handled properly.

“My gut feeling is that we push forward with what we’ve got, the current model, but really push for change now,” he said.

Leo criticised World Rugby for failing to act over many years despite concerns about governance in Samoa and Tonga.

“We’ve had evidence for stuff that would go to World Rugby, and they’d sit on their hands,” he said.

Leo claimed Samoa and Tonga have struggled while Fiji has become the main Pacific rugby focus internationally.

He also pointed to the struggles of Moana Pasifika in recent years, and to Samoa’s declining results on the field, including the national sevens team dropping out of the elite competition and the Manu Samoa only qualifying for the Rugby World Cup after drawing with Belgium.

“If you had asked me 10 years ago when we were beating Scotland, Italy, and Wales that we would be in this position now, that would have been unfathomable,” he said.

Leo said Samoa needs stronger leadership and a rugby structure that includes the large Samoan community overseas.

“The current board is voted in by local member associations in Samoa. That’s not reflective of the nearly one million Samoans living outside Samoa,” he said.

He called for real leaders to step up, saying this is a chance to rebuild the game before it is too late.

“It is time for a revolution in Samoan rugby now,” Leo said.

“The reality is if it’s not done in the next five years, we won’t exist.”