The domestic rugby league competition is now delayed for two weeks as Rugby League Samoa says they have secured a playing venue but from 8 June.

RLS Secretary Leauanae Tuugatiti Leo Leauanae has confirmed the playing field for the domestic rugby league tournament after it was delayed for weeks.

The 10-week competition will kick off next week at Chanel College in Momoa, and according to Leauanae, Apia Park is also booked out throughout the competition later on in the coming weeks despite needing to use the fields earlier. 

"The whole month of July, tApia Park will be used by all our international fixtures - and then we move back to Chanel College, which we are okay with it," said Leauanae.

The initial venue was St Joseph's College, however, the school cancelled the venue in the eleventh hour. The sporting body said they had been given no reason for the cancellation.

“I do not know the reason why they did not approve. But for me, to save my time and money, when they say no, just move on and inform the president that the field is not available, -just move on," said Leauanae.

However, given the now two-week delay, it is not that easy to move on as the options for playing fields in Samoa are limited. 

"The main problem is we don't have any fields allocated for us, Rugby League Samoa," said Leauanae.

"We're looking to the future, we're looking for land and we'll ask the government if there is any land for our players to play on," added Leauanae.

When the incident at St Joseph's College was brought up in the interview and how it may have influenced the school’s policies and the current situation, Leauanae wasn’t sure. 

He stressed the importance of keeping a good relationship between the Rugby League Samoa and St. Joseph’s College, drawing from his personal connection to the school as a former student and his involvement with the school’s board.

In addressing concerns about potential friction between the teams, Leauanae assured that both parties were in agreement and reiterated the absence of any dispute.

"We want to keep the peace, and we want to celebrate the Independence in a great way," said Leauanae.

Teams have been training for as long as two months preparing for the start of the domestic season. Rugby League Samoa has also not clarified how the delay in the start of the domestic competition hinder fixtures for the Island of Origin and other planned tournaments.