World Rugby Says No Ultimatum Given To Samoa Over Governance FiascoChristina Persico RNZ Pacific Senior bulletin editorWorld Rugby has denied reports that it gave Samoa an ultimatum to sort out problems over which body governs the sport in the country, or face a ban from international competition. Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt announced earlier this year that he was establishing a rival union to take over the role of Lakapi Samoa (the Samoa Rugby Union). A spokesperson for World Rugby told RNZ Pacific: "We are in active and constructive dialogue with all parties and remain focused on a positive resolution." Tuilaepa stepped down as long-time chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union earlier this year after his political stand-off with La'auli threatened to stall a new funding programme for the Pacific's three top rugby unions. Fiji fiascoThe crisis surrounding Samoa rugby has shades of the political problems which caused Fiji to be banned from the World Rugby Council in 2023 over governance concerns, after the government in 2023 effectively control of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).