Lakapi Samoa CEO calls for World Rugby to show his union greater respect
But just like the TRU, the Samoan union are still in the dark about precisely how the latest version of the World Rugby 7s series will play out.
In the end, Chief Executive, Douglas Ngau Chun, is of the opinion that the new set up will provide a decent pathway for Samoa's men to follow back to the elite group, after their relegation in 2024.
But it's also very clear that the CEO thinks his union deserves to be treated with more respect by the officials at World Rugby HQ.
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Herald Sun
20 hours ago
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NRL 2025: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui opens up on contract saga, what did he say, will he leave Titans, Sharks defeat Titans, news
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The Advertiser
21 hours ago
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Big love, Payno! - What Luai said on Samoa defection
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Haas's talent is a massive boost for a trophy-chasing Samoa outfit ahead of the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea. Already established in the Samoa team are NRL talents Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton, with Australian duo Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also considering the switch. "He's (Haas) a world-class player," Luai said on Wednesday. "We've obviously got a big job to do for our clubs but hopefully, God willing, all fit and healthy at the back end of the year and we can put on that jersey together (at the Pacific Championships)." The "big job" for Luai in the Wests Tigers jersey comes in the form of attempting to pull off a slim finals spot hunt. Benji Marshall's side are mathematically still in the race for a top-eight berth ahead of Sunday's clash against North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval. Not only do the 11th-placed Tigers (9-12) need to win their final three matches, but other results also need to fall their way. Those already slim hopes will be hanging by a thread if the eighth-placed Sydney Roosters beat Parramatta on Saturday night. Luai has already been busy using the ladder predictor. "I like seeing what things have to go our way to make the eight, but that's just me as a competitor," Luai said. "I've played finals for the last five years, so I always want to be there at the back end of the year. "It's still there mathematically." It's the homecoming for Samoa that Jarome Luai will happily take credit for. When he captains Samoa against New Zealand in a Pacific Championships clash in October, Wests Tigers star Luai is set to be joined for the first time by NRL heavyweight Payne Haas. Brisbane prop Haas, after playing four Tests for Australia, announced earlier this week he had switched international allegiances in large part due to the love for his mother's country. The 25-year-old has mixed heritage, which also includes Filipino and Swiss bloodlines, but his mother Joan Taufua is Samoan. Still, Luai reckons he had a big hand in the matter. "Yeah, I did. Put it down to me. Big love 'Payno', brah," Luai joked. "It was good to see the photo and him kitted out in the ula (Samoan necklace). It really suits him. "I'm glad he's, not come back, but he's felt the passion and I'm really excited." Haas's talent is a massive boost for a trophy-chasing Samoa outfit ahead of the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea. Already established in the Samoa team are NRL talents Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton, with Australian duo Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also considering the switch. "He's (Haas) a world-class player," Luai said on Wednesday. "We've obviously got a big job to do for our clubs but hopefully, God willing, all fit and healthy at the back end of the year and we can put on that jersey together (at the Pacific Championships)." The "big job" for Luai in the Wests Tigers jersey comes in the form of attempting to pull off a slim finals spot hunt. Benji Marshall's side are mathematically still in the race for a top-eight berth ahead of Sunday's clash against North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval. Not only do the 11th-placed Tigers (9-12) need to win their final three matches, but other results also need to fall their way. Those already slim hopes will be hanging by a thread if the eighth-placed Sydney Roosters beat Parramatta on Saturday night. Luai has already been busy using the ladder predictor. "I like seeing what things have to go our way to make the eight, but that's just me as a competitor," Luai said. "I've played finals for the last five years, so I always want to be there at the back end of the year. "It's still there mathematically." It's the homecoming for Samoa that Jarome Luai will happily take credit for. When he captains Samoa against New Zealand in a Pacific Championships clash in October, Wests Tigers star Luai is set to be joined for the first time by NRL heavyweight Payne Haas. Brisbane prop Haas, after playing four Tests for Australia, announced earlier this week he had switched international allegiances in large part due to the love for his mother's country. The 25-year-old has mixed heritage, which also includes Filipino and Swiss bloodlines, but his mother Joan Taufua is Samoan. Still, Luai reckons he had a big hand in the matter. "Yeah, I did. Put it down to me. Big love 'Payno', brah," Luai joked. "It was good to see the photo and him kitted out in the ula (Samoan necklace). It really suits him. "I'm glad he's, not come back, but he's felt the passion and I'm really excited." Haas's talent is a massive boost for a trophy-chasing Samoa outfit ahead of the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea. Already established in the Samoa team are NRL talents Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton, with Australian duo Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also considering the switch. "He's (Haas) a world-class player," Luai said on Wednesday. "We've obviously got a big job to do for our clubs but hopefully, God willing, all fit and healthy at the back end of the year and we can put on that jersey together (at the Pacific Championships)." The "big job" for Luai in the Wests Tigers jersey comes in the form of attempting to pull off a slim finals spot hunt. Benji Marshall's side are mathematically still in the race for a top-eight berth ahead of Sunday's clash against North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval. Not only do the 11th-placed Tigers (9-12) need to win their final three matches, but other results also need to fall their way. Those already slim hopes will be hanging by a thread if the eighth-placed Sydney Roosters beat Parramatta on Saturday night. Luai has already been busy using the ladder predictor. "I like seeing what things have to go our way to make the eight, but that's just me as a competitor," Luai said. "I've played finals for the last five years, so I always want to be there at the back end of the year. "It's still there mathematically."
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Love for both: Finefeuiaki has Tonga and Samoa in heart
Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has summed up the passion, respect and love behind the looming Pacific Championships showdown between Tonga and Samoa. The languages, customs and family values of both nations are well understood by him. "I know both. I can speak both. I can understand both. I love each and every one of them," he said. The 21-year-old will make himself available for Tonga on October 26 at Suncorp Stadium to play against Samoa in one of the most anticipated internationals of all time, but it was far from a straight-forward decision. "My whole name is Tongan," he said. "I don't think that anybody knows that I'm half Samoan as well because of my mum, but (I will play) for Tonga because I grew up more on my dad's side than my mum's side. "When it comes to those kind of games, my parents ask me who am I going for. I just go for the ref because I don't want to start any fights in the house. "I just love both of my parents, so I hope I get to represent both nations down the track." Finefeuiaki is yet to make his international debut but has been in Tonga camp previously and is on track to do so in this year's Pacific Championships. He watched with interest as Payne Haas made his decision this week to link with Samoa.. "It was pretty special for someone like Payne, with the profile he has and what he's done for the game, to turn away from Australia to go to Samoa, especially being half Samoan myself," Finefeuiaki said. "No doubt the Samoan nation will be happy. "If it comes at the back end of the season then I would love to put my hand up to represent Tonga. I'm just trying to focus on my game and my footy at the Dolphins." Finefeuiaki joined Queensland camp during this year's State of Origin series but gets the sense the international rivalries brewing in the Pacific will surpass it. "I reckon it's just a bit more than Origin, when it comes to international footy," he said. "Everyone from the small islands, they get behind their own countries and no doubt that first game between Samoa and Tonga at Suncorp will be a sellout. The parades are going to be crazy all around New Zealand and Australia. "(Maroons camp) was a pretty cool experience, especially for myself playing my junior footy here. "I was just learning off all the veteran players like Patty Carrigan and how they carry themselves. "I try to add what they have to my game, so I just need to keep working on that." Finefeuiaki will play for the Dolphins away against Manly on Saturday as a finals berth goes on the line. "I just need to carry hard and make my tackles. On the weekend I missed a few crucial tackles there, so I just need to ... keep my feet closer to contact and just help my edge," he said. "If I do my job, then the boys will do their job as well." Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has summed up the passion, respect and love behind the looming Pacific Championships showdown between Tonga and Samoa. The languages, customs and family values of both nations are well understood by him. "I know both. I can speak both. I can understand both. I love each and every one of them," he said. The 21-year-old will make himself available for Tonga on October 26 at Suncorp Stadium to play against Samoa in one of the most anticipated internationals of all time, but it was far from a straight-forward decision. "My whole name is Tongan," he said. "I don't think that anybody knows that I'm half Samoan as well because of my mum, but (I will play) for Tonga because I grew up more on my dad's side than my mum's side. "When it comes to those kind of games, my parents ask me who am I going for. I just go for the ref because I don't want to start any fights in the house. "I just love both of my parents, so I hope I get to represent both nations down the track." Finefeuiaki is yet to make his international debut but has been in Tonga camp previously and is on track to do so in this year's Pacific Championships. He watched with interest as Payne Haas made his decision this week to link with Samoa.. "It was pretty special for someone like Payne, with the profile he has and what he's done for the game, to turn away from Australia to go to Samoa, especially being half Samoan myself," Finefeuiaki said. "No doubt the Samoan nation will be happy. "If it comes at the back end of the season then I would love to put my hand up to represent Tonga. I'm just trying to focus on my game and my footy at the Dolphins." Finefeuiaki joined Queensland camp during this year's State of Origin series but gets the sense the international rivalries brewing in the Pacific will surpass it. "I reckon it's just a bit more than Origin, when it comes to international footy," he said. "Everyone from the small islands, they get behind their own countries and no doubt that first game between Samoa and Tonga at Suncorp will be a sellout. The parades are going to be crazy all around New Zealand and Australia. "(Maroons camp) was a pretty cool experience, especially for myself playing my junior footy here. "I was just learning off all the veteran players like Patty Carrigan and how they carry themselves. "I try to add what they have to my game, so I just need to keep working on that." Finefeuiaki will play for the Dolphins away against Manly on Saturday as a finals berth goes on the line. "I just need to carry hard and make my tackles. On the weekend I missed a few crucial tackles there, so I just need to ... keep my feet closer to contact and just help my edge," he said. "If I do my job, then the boys will do their job as well." Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has summed up the passion, respect and love behind the looming Pacific Championships showdown between Tonga and Samoa. The languages, customs and family values of both nations are well understood by him. "I know both. I can speak both. I can understand both. I love each and every one of them," he said. The 21-year-old will make himself available for Tonga on October 26 at Suncorp Stadium to play against Samoa in one of the most anticipated internationals of all time, but it was far from a straight-forward decision. "My whole name is Tongan," he said. "I don't think that anybody knows that I'm half Samoan as well because of my mum, but (I will play) for Tonga because I grew up more on my dad's side than my mum's side. "When it comes to those kind of games, my parents ask me who am I going for. I just go for the ref because I don't want to start any fights in the house. "I just love both of my parents, so I hope I get to represent both nations down the track." Finefeuiaki is yet to make his international debut but has been in Tonga camp previously and is on track to do so in this year's Pacific Championships. He watched with interest as Payne Haas made his decision this week to link with Samoa.. "It was pretty special for someone like Payne, with the profile he has and what he's done for the game, to turn away from Australia to go to Samoa, especially being half Samoan myself," Finefeuiaki said. "No doubt the Samoan nation will be happy. "If it comes at the back end of the season then I would love to put my hand up to represent Tonga. I'm just trying to focus on my game and my footy at the Dolphins." Finefeuiaki joined Queensland camp during this year's State of Origin series but gets the sense the international rivalries brewing in the Pacific will surpass it. "I reckon it's just a bit more than Origin, when it comes to international footy," he said. "Everyone from the small islands, they get behind their own countries and no doubt that first game between Samoa and Tonga at Suncorp will be a sellout. The parades are going to be crazy all around New Zealand and Australia. "(Maroons camp) was a pretty cool experience, especially for myself playing my junior footy here. "I was just learning off all the veteran players like Patty Carrigan and how they carry themselves. "I try to add what they have to my game, so I just need to keep working on that." Finefeuiaki will play for the Dolphins away against Manly on Saturday as a finals berth goes on the line. "I just need to carry hard and make my tackles. On the weekend I missed a few crucial tackles there, so I just need to ... keep my feet closer to contact and just help my edge," he said. "If I do my job, then the boys will do their job as well."
