It added that the development follows a meeting between the Lakapi Samoa and World Rugby representatives on Thursday. RNZ Pacific has contacted World Rugby, Lakapi Samoa and the Samoan government’s press secretariat for a response to Tuilaepa’s comments. A World Rugby spokesperson said: “We are in active and constructive dialogue with all parties and remain focused on a positive resolution.” Tuilaepa stepped down as chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union a month later after his political stand-off with La’auli threatened to stall a new funding programme for the Pacific’s three top rugby unions. In June, World Rugby formally appointed Lakapi Samoa’s new chairman Afioga Namulauuli Papali’i as Samoa’s representative on the World Rugby Council.