Samoan rugby legend Daniel Leo has expressed that the ongoing debacle affecting the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) serves as a stark reminder of a similar incident he encountered in 2014. At that time, Leo was a player for London Irish in Premiership Rugby and was part of the Manu Samoa team facing financial difficulties ahead of their match against England at Twickenham Stadium.
Leo emphasized the need for the Samoan Rugby Union (SRU) to take collective accountability for the unprofessional way they interacted with Manu Samoa players, all of whom were professionals. He explained that players had to cover various team expenses and lacked proper sporting equipment, as the SRU failed to allocate funds for their overseas trip.
“We paid for our own flights without reimbursement, we had no rugby balls during training, and it appeared many SRU officials and their families were present at the Rugby World Cup matches without a clear reason, presumably funded by donations,” Leo recalled.
He noted that Samoa’s then prime minister, Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, who served as the SRU chairman, dismissed their concerns, labeling the players as “little brats.” In contrast, Leo commended the current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the FRU for addressing the serious allegations raised by senior players of the Flying Fijians.
“The resentment and unresolved issues between the SRU and its players have persisted as a lingering problem ever since,” Leo stated.