IRB CEO Brett Gosper has reacted to the accusations by former Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu that the Island Nation is being treated poorly by the IRB. Fuimaono-Sapolu has been angered by the poor calibre of opponents provided for Manu Samoa’s final two games of their November tour and has been openly critical of the powers that be.

Samoa, who are ranked seventh in the world, face eighth-placed Ireland in Dublin this Saturday, but then face considerably less challenging outings against the French Barbarians on the 16th of November and Georgia seven days later.

“The fundamental principle of the game is to include everyone; rugby is for all shapes, sizes and skill-sets,” said Fuimaono-Sapolu.

“Currently, rugby is the opposite, exclusive.

“One day it will change, and that generation in the future will look back at today’s elite group with disgust and disbelief and ask ‘how did we let such narrow-minded selfish people run the sport’.

“People in Samoa are angry with the scheduling for this tour.

“Samoa are not playing against anyone ranked more highly, so how can we move up the rankings?”

Gosper, however, when interviewed by this newspaper*, had a different perspective on the November scheduling.

“I think it’s great that Samoa are getting to play Ireland who I think are currently around two or three places above them in the IRB rankings. The income Samoa will garner from the broadcasting rights from this match alone will go a long way towards supporting the development of the South-Sea Island game for some time to come. Rugby balls are mighty cheap down there, you know. It’ll be a ripper of a test and a great opportunity for them to see if they can compete with one of the best Northern Hemisphere sides around.

“All of the IRB Executive Committee, from Europe, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan, were all happy with the November scheduling we proposed to them and we all unanimously agreed that the distribution of income from the November series was appropriate given the make-up of the Committee.

“Furthermore all of our sponsors, from QBE to O2 to Guinness were all delighted with the line-up and the reach that will be achieved for their brands so I think we’ve struck the perfectly balance really.

“We all agreed the Ireland game would be the perfect warm up for Samoa who will face a tough game against Georgia (ranked 9 places below them at the time of writing) and the French Barbarians, who I’m sure will have some good club players amongst them, so it’s a real opportunity for Samoa to test themselves against some of the big boys and a good way to begin their preparation for the forthcoming World Cup.

“We were hoping to maybe give them a game against Spain (20th) or maybe Portugal (22nd) whilst over here but unfortunately the window was just too short for that.

“It’ll be a beaut of a series and we’re rapt we could accommodate everyone’s needs going forward.”

Samoa have beaten three out of the five Tier 1 Nations they have played over the last two years. They have beaten Wales, Scotland and Italy, all away from home, whilst narrowly losing to France and then suffering a 56-23 defeat at the hands of an in-form Springboks outfit in a brutal affair which saw Alesana Tuilagi red-carded for a nasty high hit on De Villiers.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that both sides will observe a minute’s silence in Dublin this weekend for former Samoa captain Papalii Peter ‘Fats’ Fatiafola who died on Tuesday at the age of 54.

Manu Samoa Manager, Namulauulu Sami Leota said, “Our Game this Saturday will be dedicated to Papalii in memory of all the great work that he has done for our Rugby and our community as a whole both in Samoa and New Zealand. May he rest in peace.”

*Of course this interview bares no resemblance whatsoever to reality. Not at all. The IRB are great!