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Samoa is suffering collateral damage from the Rugby Europe Debacle. The Pacific Island nation was scheduled to compete in a RWC qualifying series in June against Europe 2.
Yet now into the month of May the series is set to be postponed as Rugby Europe and World Rugby are yet to solve the debacle of Brussels.
For a chronological detailing of the events before and after Brussels click here.
On March 29 a decision was postponed for a second time. It was not the last though now it has been established that the final decision will be given on May 10 by World Rugby.
Romania’s qualification was followed by the announcement that the Oaks would play tests in Oceania against Fiji and Tonga in June. Dates and venues were scheduled and referees were appointed. Yet this tour is set to be cancelled.
Filling the void of Romania will be Samoa who are set to now face Fiji and Tonga on June 09 and 16, directly replacing Romania. While no official announcement has been made publicly changes to the officials for the June Internationals have been set-out in World Rugby’s Officiating.
Samoa’s June Internationals were, of course, originally to be against Spain or Portugal. Matches were to be played in both Europe and Oceania, taking place on June 09, and June 23. The winner would join Romania in addition to Ireland, Scotland and RWC 2019 hosts Japan.
The unsuccessful qualifier would join Canada, and two others, in the Global Repechage Tournament in November. Instead Canada, Samoa, and many others, are still waiting to learn the outcome. Will Romania be disqualified for breaching eligibility laws? With Spain join them too?
The lack of a decision is a reflection of the importance of RWC qualification. A RWC place is on the line but it is more than that. Not long before the Belgium vs Spain controversy occurred had World Rugby disqualified Tahiti from RWC qualifiers. The reason? Tahiti had breached player eligibility laws.
While World Rugby has employed a legal team to come to a solution Samoa has become collateral damage. That is to say, Samoa has suffered damage aside from that which was intended by authorities looking to reach a fair verdict with regards to the Rugby Europe Championship.
Suggesting that time is running out is an understatement. Before Samoa faces Europe 2 Portugal needs to do so. Indeed Europe 2 is to be the winner of Portugal vs the second placed qualifying side from the Rugby Europe Championship.
The patience of Samoans appears to have run out. Social media has seen players from both the past and present voicing their frustration with the spill-over from the Rugby Europe qualifiers.
Samoan captain Chris Vui tweeted:
Wow! All these investigations with World Rugby and Samoa are punished. The fact that there is a possibility that some of us may not be available for the biggest games of our career and for our nation. Don’t understand why we should bear the brunt of this.
Center Kieron Fonotia agreed with his captain:
I don’t understand why Samoa should be punished over other people’s mistakes and not being able to pick from a core group of professional rugby players in the UK / Europe. If we miss out on the World Cup over this it is a JOKE! I know who I’d rather watch out of all these teams
Also offering his point of view was RWC 2007 and 2011 Samoan representative Daniel Leo. He wrote:
You couldn’t make this up if you tried! Samoa is being penalised for European teams ineligibility debacle? World Rugby stalling on a ruling and rescheduling these games for July / August will severely limit access to pro players
A delay until July and August for the Samoa vs Europe 2 play-off has been rumored. Whether it is accurate or not should be revealed on May 10.
Samoa missed out on the Oceania 1 and 2 qualifying spots for RWC 2019. They finished below both Fiji and Tonga. One of Fiji’s best from RWC 2015 was winger Nemani Nadolo. His contribution was very similar to that of the above referenced Samoan players. Combined they make it clear that there are financial factors involved with their clubs directly been affected.
what a JOKE!!. This just makes it messy for the Samoa players and their pro clubs overseas!. July / August is an important time for prepping with the new season.. It’s tough as it is trying to convince our clubs to go play for our countries!.
