World body denies Samoa players are uninsured

Samoa's Sanele Vavae Tuilagi is tackled during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Samoa and Japan at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

World Rugby has denied claims from the prime minister of Samoa that the country's rugby union team cannot afford to insure its players.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU), said the organisation was "bankrupt" in an interview on Tuesday.

He added there was no money to pay for player insurance and the head coach's salary ahead of matches against Scotland at Murrayfield on November 11 and England at Twickenham two weeks later.

A World Rugby statement published yesterday, however, said the sport's governing body had increased their indirect investment in the SRU's high-performance programme to $1.97 million (Sh204m) in 2017.

"Specifically for the November window, this support package includes insurance cover under Regulation 9, underwriting assembly costs for a pre-tour camp, flights to and from Europe and participation in the Americas Pacific Challenge, a preparation and development tournament,” the statement said.

Malielegaoi had told the Samoa Observer that the SRU were insolvent.

The manager of the Samoan team, Aloi Alesana, however, said wages were still being paid on time.

“We are getting paid and we have everything we need. No one is worried," he said yesterday.

“We have very nice food and great facilities here (in the team hotel). Actually the food is a bit too nice. We’re looking forward to the game on Saturday. No one is worried about this.”

England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) will generate around 10 million pounds (Sh1.3b) when England host Samoa on November 25 and, under World Rugby rules, they are under no obligation to share gate receipts with visiting test sides.

The RFU will compensate Samoa to the tune of 75,000 pounds (Sh10m). All on-the-ground costs for visiting teams are also covered.

Samoa host the biggest rugby nations infrequently, and when they do, cheap tickets and small stadiums ensure gate receipts are low.

The match fees for players also differ significantly. While England’s players will earn 22,000 pounds (Sh2.9m) each from the RFU, their Samoan counterparts will earn just 650 pounds (Sh88, 269) from their federation, according to media reports.