For the love of rugby, it’s time for change

Dear Editor,

Re: Samoan rugby today

The aura of Samoan rugby has long since left. 

Manu Samoa will never be a powerhouse rugby nation unless major changes are made starting from the top. 

They say never mix sports with politics yet sadly in Samoa rugby is more political than politics itself. It starts from grassroots and if this is how some of the young players are being treated then serious questions needs to be asked, followed up by the appropriate people and changes made.

This is why so many promising young players with Samoan heritage choose not to play for Samoa. 

There is a growing trend worldwide with players of Samoan descent that if they can’t break in to a team like the All Blacks, Wallabies or even England then they’ll rather go play for another team like Ireland or France and forget all about Samoa. 

Rugby is a professional sport and if a national H.P. unit originally set up by the IRB now World Rugby to provide the basic necessities then why would any promising young player want to attend when they can go elsewhere with better facilities and get treated more civil.

I once was a strong Manu Samoa supporter and would watch every game played if access online allowed no matter where in the world I would be. 

After all the fiascos and cover ups you get to a point where in your heart you know the team can be better and the players can play to a much higher standard yet when you hear stories like this which is one of many you understand the challenges that these players face when representing Samoa. 

Playing rugby on the field is not the hard part for our players. 

Having to deal with the unprofessionalism, the lies and deception off the field is by far their greatest challenge.

For the love of Samoan rugby it’s time to make the necessary changes.

 

Steve H.

Samoa Observer

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