The setting up of a new government-led rugby union looks to be going ahead, according to comments made by Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt’s office.

According to RNZ Pacific, his office said that since the current Lakapi Samoa board members are not going to resign, the Prime Minister had demanded in a letter to the national union that work will now begin on establishing a rival national union.

Laaulialemalietoa had all rugby funding, including money from the government and had refused to sign an AU$150 million deal with the Australian government until there was a change in the Lakapi Samoa board.

Last week, it was revealed that Laaulialemalietoa had signed the deal.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s term as the chairman came to an end a fortnight ago. Tuilaepa has been replaced by Lakapi Samoa president, Namulauulu Sami Leota, as interim chairman.

"The Prime Minister's position remains, to have the Samoa Rugby Union cleared of politicians and the management needs complete change as the current Samoan dismal rugby results over the years are a direct reflection on management," the PM’s office said in response to questions, said the RNZ in its report.

"The Prime Minister has just received a response from the union to his letter sent three months ago giving his position. The union has rejected this position.

"He has already given the alternative that the government will support the establishment of a new union if the current management insists on remaining."

The PM’s office said he has already advised Rugby Australia and World Rugby chairman, according to RNZ.

RNZ Pacific contacted World Rugby about the issue. "We are not going to comment on a domestic matter," World Rugby said in an email response.

Past cases of such nature had seen unions being penalised and temporarily suspended, if there were government or external interventions.

A similar case was when the Fijian government interfered with the Fiji Rugby Union in 2023, which eventually saw Fiji being temporarily suspended by World Rugby.

World Rugby maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance on government interference in the affairs of national rugby unions, treating it as a violation of its bye-laws and governance regulations, as the world body requires that national unions remain fully responsible for the organisation of rugby within their territory and act independently of state authorities.

World Rugby often suspends the union from the World Rugby Council, resulting in a reduction or freezing of funding.