England game in doubt again?
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Samoa's game with England may well be in jeopardy again as the Samoan Rugby Union continues to snub its players over grievances with their governance.
Samoa's senior internationals issued a public appeal to the Samoa Rugby Union to discuss player grievances after the Union did not appear at talks on Saturday as festering disharmony clouds the future of the team.
Grievances which surfaced at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand remain unresolved, leading to players originally threatening to strike ahead of next weekend's Test against England at Twickenham.
Although the strike was called off following the intervention of the International Rugby Board, the players say they want their concerns dealt with urgently "to ensure positive change for the benefit of Samoa rugby".
Former Samoan player Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, who was banned for six months after tweeting that referee Nigel Owens was "racist" and "biased" when his team lost to South Africa in the 2011 World Cup, has again spoken out on Twitter.
He has spoken out against the SRU, but has also warned his compatriots to be wary of the IRB's influence
I've been cut 3 times from ManuSamoa for speaking against corruption. Every time they want me back, they ask me not to go to the media.
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) November 17, 2014
I hope the ManuSamoa boys are careful. The IRB also treat us like shit. Be careful for those assholes. They choke the Union who choke us.
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) November 17, 2014
The SRU didn't cut me though last time. The IRB sent them a letter advising them not to pick me. They are part of the assholery
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) November 17, 2014
Members of the Samoa team who beat Canada 23-13 last Saturday met with the IRB and the International Rugby Players Association over the weekend but the SRU chose not to be represented at the talks.
The players "are now asking the SRU to commit to meaningful communication and discussion on the issues with all parties", the IRPA said in a statement Monday.
This follows Samoan Prime Minister (and Chairman of the Samoan Rugby Union) Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi blasting his players for making threats to boycott the England game.
Tuilaepa called the issues "opinions of little kids" and suggested the cream of Samoan rugby pull out if they are not happy.
"If they don't want to play then don't come. There are many players here who are looking for an opportunity. We're not forcing you. So submit your resignation and we'll select new players," he said last week.
Mahonri Schwalger, who captained Samoa at the 2011 World Cup, was axed from the side a year later when he wrote a damning assessment of the management in a report to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.
Following the weekend meeting, Samoa forward Daniel Leo said the players have had to "endure these ongoing issues for far too long".
"This is about us, the players deciding enough is enough, and seeking positive change and input for the benefit of Samoan rugby and the welfare of future players."
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