World Rugby strips Lakapi Samoa of high-performance control amid governance crisis

World Rugby has transferred control of Samoa’s high-performance rugby programme away from Lakapi Samoa following a governance dispute that has prompted the union’s self-suspension from the World Rugby Council, the sport’s global governing body confirmed.

The agreement was reached after talks in Apia led by World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson and Samoa’s Prime Minister, Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. Control and jurisdiction over all high-performance matters has been handed to the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC), operating under joint oversight from an appointed stewardship group.

A Samoan-led Independent Review Group — with membership agreed by both Lakapi Samoa and the Government of Samoa — has also been appointed to examine all issues relating to the governance of Samoan rugby. Lakapi Samoa’s self-suspension from the World Rugby Council can only be lifted by a future request to the Executive Board and a subsequent recommendation to the Council.

In a joint statement, World Rugby said the measures were designed to ensure Samoa’s national teams continue competing at the highest level during the review period. “All parties agreed that it was imperative that the union’s high-performance programmes remain unaffected, with Samoa’s national teams committed to participating in Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, the World Rugby Nations Cup, WXV Global Series Challenger and sevens programmes,” the statement read.

The crisis comes at a precarious moment for Samoan rugby. The men’s team, who have appeared at every Rugby World Cup since their debut in 1991, only secured their place at the 2027 tournament in Australia by claiming the final qualifying berth at the Final Qualification Tournament. They have since slipped to an all-time low of 20th in the World Rugby Rankings and have won just one of their first three matches in the World Rugby Nations Cup.

The women’s programme has faced similar difficulties. At last year’s Rugby World Cup, the Samoan women’s team scored just three points and conceded 225 across three heavy defeats.

The governance dispute originated from concerns raised with World Rugby earlier this year by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Samoan government, relating to Lakapi Samoa’s administration and management. World Rugby said those concerns prompted immediate dialogue between all parties to agree a way forward, with the priority of protecting player welfare and international participation.