Samoa
Samoa players: Dispute with Samoa Union is ongoing
ESPN Staff
November 26, 2014
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Despite the Prime Minister of Samoa, who doubles as the Samoa Rugby Union chairman, claiming the dispute between the players and the management is over, Dan Leo and the International Rugby Players Association say a resolution to the dispute is still a way off.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi claimed the dispute between the Samoan players and the Union had come to an end. He added, when speaking to TVNZ, players should not get themselves in management saying "no players anywhere will do that".

He also seemed to point the finger of blame partly at the players for the lack of financial support for the team saying: "I also told them we'll try, but it's a two-way thing if they are able to perform well then we will be able to raise the necessary sponsorships and they understand now."

But Leo, who has acted as spokesman for his team-mates, says a resolution has not yet materialised. "I was as shocked as anyone to see that he had come out and said that it was sorted because it is pretty clear that it is not," Leo told Radio Live. He added: "We haven't even had a chance to meet with them, let alone sort anything out, so it's stalling tactics."

The International Rugby Players Association has helped represent the Samoan players' grievances and they issued a statement saying: "The situation is absolutely not under control. There's a lack of urgency from the Samoan Rugby Union to address issues and frustrations are building within the rugby community."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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