Dear Editor,

Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt needs to get his national priorities in order. The pursuit of leadership in Lakapi Samoa is a distraction from his precious energy and time.

The leadership of Lakapi Samoa does not rank among the nation's highest priorities at this time. 

We need a real economic development plan. The national infrastructure needs fixing as water and electricity services, hospitals, roads and courthouses are falling apart, children are failing in the education system, and the governance of district community projects is corrupt.

Lakapi Samoa remains in good standing with World Rugby by complying with all its governance and administrative standards. Its governance model is the same as Australia Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, and Fiji Rugby, which have independent boards elected by their member unions.

Contrary to his claims, Laaulialemalietoa is politicising Lakapi Samoa by demanding that it is "his turn" to run the union since he is now Prime Minister. 

Tupua Tamasese and my chairmanship of the Samoa Rugby Union was not based on us being Prime Ministers. 

We were elected in accordance with the Constitution of the Samoa Rugby Union.

It has been explained many times that our inconsistent performance on the international field is the result of our limited pipeline of elite rugby talent that draws from a pool that is much smaller than our neighbours'. 

This inconsistency impacts sponsorship opportunities. We have enjoyed past success, but other countries have also raised their standards, including emerging nations that are well-resourced.

During his now infamous press conference with the Australian Foreign Minister, La'aulialemalietoa referred to a time when Samoan rugby "was perfect." 

It was when we won the rugby world sevens title and our 15s team was ranked number 7 in the world, our highest placement ever. 

One detail that he conveniently left out was that I was already the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union during that perfect time.

These are the realities that the PM and his supporters, some of whom are former Board members, coaches, and players, choose to ignore.

The Australian government is also keen to ensure that its taxpayer money is managed transparently and accountably. 

They know who has a proven record of supporting the development of rugby and all sports in this nation.

Handing over rugby development money to the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi government will result in only their district supporters benefiting from it. 

That is the divisive politics that we see happening every day in Samoa.

The Prime Minister needs to give his full attention to the real problems of the nation and not let Lakapi Samoa go the same way of Samoa Airways or the $13 million ferry that seems to be adrift somewhere in the deep blue ocean.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP