The Samoa Rugby Union has retracted a claim that the IRB instructed it not to select outspoken centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu in its Pacific Nations Cup squad.
Earlier this week, Manu Samoa coach Stephen Betham said Fuimaono-Sapolu was overlooked for the June series after the IRB wrote a letter to the Samoa Rugby Union, saying there was a sanction against the 31 year old.
The IRB rejected that claim and said Fuimaonu-Sapolu was not banned from playing for his country.
In a statement, the SRU confirmed that the IRB did not send it a directive not to select the 23 test veteran, and said the comment by Stephen Betham was
based on a misunderstanding of his suspended sentence.
