Sport: Dispute lingers between Samoa rugby union and players

Transcript

A dispute between the Manu Samoa players and Samoa Rugby Union remains unresolved despite claims from the country's Prime Minister the matter has been dealt with.

Attempts to organise a meeting between the groups have failed with concerns the matter could drag on into a World Cup year.

Vinnie Wylie reports.

Last month a group of senior players raised concerns regarding the governance and management of the Samoan Rugby Union and threatened to boycott last weekend's test against England. The players' ire was raised further when the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union and Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi accused the players of being "little kids" and putting money before country. The strike was averted but SRU officials failed to attend two meetings over the past week, citing a mix-up over the dates. Manu Samoa manager Namulau'ulu Sami Leota admits it wasn't the ideal background to prepare for such a big test match but says the players still gave their all.

NAMULAU'ULU SAMI LEOTA: We prepared what we could prepare, despite what happened, but we had a positive preparation during the week but obviously there was a cloud above us and we're just hoping for positive outcomes at the end of discussions.  The issue that was at hand also motivated the boys a lot more to perform on the field and the result has come out and it's what it is at the moment. We're happy with they gave it all and again there are areas that we need to improve on and we just have to move on from here.

The Executive Director of the International Players Association, Rob Nicol, says the players main concerns relate to the governance of the Samoa Rugby Union, the relationship between the players and the Union, and a belief that team selections are not being made on merit.

ROB NICOL: Make no mistake about it there's some outcomes that are required. From a players perspective, I think they want an outcome that results in them having confidence in the governance and administration of the national union. That's been an area of frustration in the past and they don't want to lead into a World Cup next year and various fundraising activities and then have the mistakes of 2011 repeat themselves so this is about being proactive and sorting it out before we end up in a same-old same old.

The Treasurer for the Samoa Rugby Union, Taimang Jensen, says concerns over its governance and management are unfounded. Jensen, who is an SRU board member, says the players' major concern at the start was getting a raise in their allowances and he's surprised other concerns have been raised.

TAIMANG JENSEN: We're going to call a board meeting to address those issues properly.  The money was the issue to start with and then when we we say that we can't really increase their allowances and then they turn around and raise all these other issues. I don't really understand what those other issues are. The Union is functioning properly despite maybe there are faults but we are still running and the teams are competing at international level - all the teams - so we need to sit down with them and discuss what the real issues are. Their responsibilities are to play when we ask them and leave the administration to the Union.

The Samoan Prime Minister has since told TVNZ the dispute is resolved after he agreed to try and find more money for player allowances but explained to the players that their function is to play and not get involved in management of the game. But the Players' Association says the situation is absolutely not under control, and lock Daniel Leo has called for a funding freeze at the Union until the matter is resolved. The Players' Association have sent a request to the SRU requesting talks but are yet to receive a response. Taimang Jensen says once a board meeting has been held the Samoa Union will be in a position to meet with the senior players and their representatives to discuss any lingering concerns.