World Rugby Sevens Series

Samoan PM labels Sevens side 'eyesore' and 'lazy'

ESPN Staff

Samoa's Sevens side have come under-fire from their PM © Getty Images Enlarge

The Samoan Prime Minister has lashed out the country's Sevens players labelling them "lazy" and an "eyesore".

Samoa currently find themselves tenth in the World Rugby Sevens Series rankings and the outspoken Tuilaepa Sa'ilele used a local tournament to vent his fury at the form of the national side.

Sa'ilele is no stranger to firing barbs at his players. In November the Samoan XV side were embroiled in a row with their union, of which the Prime Minister is chairman, over issues concerning payment and the management of the side. He was forced to defend his position then and labelled his players "little brats" at the time.

And now he has turned his attention to the country's Sevens side. He said the team has "poor ball handling, lack of speed, being individualistic and the absence of team work."

He added: "Some were cowards who run sideways and pass the ball with their eyes closed. They looked dead. They're lazy, they don't want to play. The phase of rugby we have reached unfortunately has become an eyesore.

"We don't need cowards; we can see what goes on, on the field. We need players who use their brains wisely, open their eyes, we need players who play to win, not just to front up for the sake of playing."

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