Lakapi Samoa

Lakapi Samoa to decide Manu Samoa 7s further involvement in current World Series

Samoa are yet to compete in any tournament this season, largely because of their government's strict Covid protocols.

They set up camp in Dubai in January in the hope that they could play during the second half of the campaign, but they didn't feature in Spain because of a COVID outbreak in the squad, and the next tournament in Singapore is two months away.

To add to Lakapi Samoa's woes, a letter has surfaced from the players which accuses team management of bullying and intimidation.

Families of Manu Samoa 7s players rally behind sons

Allegations of bullying and mistreatment were detailed in a letter sent by the Manu Samoa Sevens Team to the Pacific Rugby Players Association.

The families' spokeman, Henry Gray, told Radio Polynesia the details of the allegations. He said that the examples of bullying provided by the team were very hard for the players' family members to read.

Lakapi Samoa CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, said that it is conducting its own investigation and a sub-committee has been appointed to investigate the matter and report back urgently.

Samoa rugby chief surprised by complaints from players

The Manu Samoa Sevens players are calling for an investigation into their coaching personnel for creating an environment of intimidation.

But the Samoa rugby union's Vincent Fepulea'i said the accusation by the players is "news" to him.

Fepulea'i said there are quite a lot of issues that have been brought up and Lakapi Samoa wants to know whether the allegations were made by a few disgruntled players or the whole team.

Global rugby players' body investigating Samoa mistreatment claims

On Friday, the Manu Sevens players came out with damning allegations of bullying and intimidation by their coaching staff, in a letter to the World Rugby

International Rugby Players head of welfare and high performance Conrad Smith says is in contact with the Pacific Rugby Players chairman Hale T-Pole and some of the Samoan players.

Smith says T-Pole will be talking to World Rugby and the Lakapi Samoa this afternoon.

He says the International Rugby Players will continue to be in contact with T-Pole on the issue.

Lakapi Samoa responds to letter of complaint

In the letter, the players have come out with damning allegations of bullying and intimidation by their coaching staff, the correspondence was sent onto the Pacific Rugby Players Association .

Lakapi Samoa CEO Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai immediately reached out to Association to discuss the matter for a recommended process and steps to address the player's letter and also seek Lakapi Samoa's details on the issues as documented.

Lakapai Samoa want Dubai stay to compete

Strict Covid-19 regulations in Samoa have been causing problems for the country's international rugby teams all year.

The Manu Samoa men's sevens team have been out of action since the Olympic repechage played in Monaco in June, and their tour of the northern hemisphere was abandoned.

Chief Executive Vincent Fepuleai said he was confident of a positive response from the government.

He warned the team's status among the world's sevens elite could be in jeopardy, with huge consequences for the future if they do not attend.

Samoa Sportslotto donates $50,000 tala to Lakapi Samoa

The donation is made possible through its Samoa Sports Pull Tab partnership with Lakapi Samoa from which a percentage of the profits goes to Lakapi Samoa.

“We also take this opportunity to thank our customers for supporting our games which allows us to generate funds towards not only the development of sports, but also educational grants and financial assistance to charities,” Samoa Sportslotto said.

 Samoa's next games will be two Rugby World Cup qualifying tests against Tonga in Auckland on July 10 and in Hamilton a week later.

 

Lakapi Samoa names academy rugby squad

Manu Samoa 7s star Johnny Vaili, who appeared for Satapuala in various tournaments last year, is on track to return to full time rugby after making it into the squad. 

Another familiar face in the squad is Theodore McFarland from the Moamoa Roosters rugby club who was also selected in the Manu Samoa 7s squad and now has his name on the academy list.

Manu Samoa was formerly known as Manu Samoa XV, Manusina is formerly known as Manusina XV, Manu Samoa 7s which is formerly known as Samoa Men's 7s.

The squad is listed below:

Samoa Rugby Union rebranded to Lakapi Samoa

Chairman and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi launched the new name and logo at Lakapi Samoa Headquarters in

Tuanaimoto Friday.

According to Tuilaepa, Lakapi Samoa has transitioned through a reform process which started in 2015 in the reform and restructure of the Administration and Union.

This was followed by a  reform of the Union’s constitution.