Samoan coach Michael Jones said on Tuesday the gap between rugby’s rich and poor nations is extending ever further and that he is dismayed over the official indifference to the plight of the sport in the Pacific Islands.
Jones, the legendary former All Black flanker, is preparing his team for Saturday’s one-off international with Australia in Sydney and is looking to show what Samoan rugby can offer the rugby world.
Like Fiji and Tonga, Samoa rugby is in dire straits and getting little constructive help from the International Rugby Board, while their best players are lured overseas to clubs who can pay them.
The Pacific Island nations were hopeful they would merge to form an entity in next year’s expanded Super 14 competition featuring provincial teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. But instead the extra two places went to teams in Australia and South Africa.
Jones said he was dismayed when Samoa and the other Pacific Island nations were ignored by Super 14 bosses.
”I have huge concerns about Samoan rugby,” he said.
”From where I sit I can see the poles getting further and further apart. The rich are getting richer; the poor are getting poorer. I’ve been voicing this for several years, and I don’t think anything has changed.
”The lack of vision at certain levels concerns me. Having an islander influence would have brought a real flavour and new dimension to the Super 14 tournament.
”Surely there has to be room for a Pacific Island team somewhere in that mix.”
Jones said Samoa’s short preparation for the Australia Test was far from ideal but he’s looking to make an impact.
”We’re just living off the smell of an oily rag,” he said.
”There was an argument that we probably should not have accepted the invitation to play this Test. It is almost suicidal to front up to Australia with only a week’s preparation, and just one warm-up game [against NSW Country in Wollongong] on a Wednesday night.
”But we’re treating the Test as a wonderful opportunity to show everyone a piece of Samoan rugby.”
Jones has had to rely on 15 new caps on the two-match Australian tour and there are fears they will be too inexperienced against the 2003 World Cup finalists.
”They have to grow up really quickly,” Jones said.
”Going from club to international is maybe five notches. I know reality is against us but Samoans do love being the underdogs. Anything can happen.” ‒ Sapa-AFP