Jamie Soward has resigned as coach of the Fetu Samoa ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. Soward has coached Fetu Samoa since 2023 and led the team to historic qualification for RLWC26.

“This decision has not been an easy one. Coaching the country of Samoa has been one of the greatest honours of my professional career, and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together over the past three years,” he said in a statement released by Rugby League Samoa.

His resignation means Fetu Samoa will become the fourth World Cup team to be without a coach following his departure.

Soward, who led the Fetu to historic qualification for the 2026 IRL Rugby League World Cup, has resigned as coach, saying a career change and personal priorities would prevent him from fully committing to Samoa’s campaign in October and November, the National Rugby League(NRL) reported.

Soward stepped down from the role due to a change in career and personal priorities, which he said would prevent him from fully committing to Samoa’s World Cup campaign in October and November, the National Rugby League (NRL) reported.

“Thank you for the opportunity, the trust and the memories,” Soward said in a Rugby League Samoa statement. “I will always be proud of my association with Rugby League Samoa and my association with the Fetu Samoa program.”

Among the highlights of his tenure were victories over Tonga and Fiji to secure qualification for RLWC26, and a win against Papua New Guinea to gain promotion to the 2025 Pacific Cup against Australia and New Zealand.

Rugby League Samoa said it plans to announce a new head coach for the Fetu in the near future.

“While we are sorry to see Sowie go, we respect his decision and understand the importance of doing what's best for him, his new role and especially his family,” the Rugby League Samoa statement said.

Rugby League Samoa wished Jamie Soward, known as “Sowie,” all the best and every success in his future endeavours, adding: “once a fetu, always a fetu.”

According to the Samoa Rugby League statement, Soward has been a successful coach for Fetu Samoa since 2023.

Soward is no stranger to the game. He is a former Australian professional rugby league player, a New South Wales State of Origin and Indigenous All Stars representative. He previously played for the Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers and the St George Illawarra Dragons Women in the NRL.

Rugby League Samoa said it plans to announce a new head coach for the Fetu in the near future, with the Rugby League World Cup 2026 approaching soon