World Rugby has released a statement following growing reports of unrest and infighting within the administration of Samoan rugby.
Tensions have emerged between the Samoan government-backed national rugby union and Lakapi Samoa, which is supported by World Rugby, over the governance and future direction of the game in the Pacific nation.
World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson is currently in Apia, where he has held crisis talks with Samoa's Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa (La'auli) Leuatea Schmidt. He has also met separately with Lakapi Samoa officials.
La'auli withdrew his support for Lakapi Samoa three months ago following disagreements with the union's board and management.
He subsequently followed through on his threat to establish a rival governing body, launching the Samoa Rugby Football Union in August.
However, World Rugby has now confirmed that an agreement has been reached between the parties, with a series of interim measures introduced to address the ongoing dispute.
World Rugby, the Samoan Government and rugby authorities have agreed on temporary arrangements to tackle governance concerns at Lakapi Samoa.
A Samoan-led independent review will investigate the union, while the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) will take responsibility for high-performance rugby.
Meanwhile, domestic competitions will continue as normal, with Samoa's national teams also maintaining their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
One particularly interesting measure involves Lakapi Samoa's position on the World Rugby Council.
Part of the statement reads: "The self-suspension of Lakapi Samoa from the World Rugby Council.
"This self-suspension can only be lifted by a future request to the Executive Board of World Rugby and a subsequent recommendation to the World Rugby Council. In any event, the self-suspension shall remain in place during the review processes referenced below."
In effect, Lakapi Samoa has temporarily removed itself from the World Rugby Council while the governance concerns are investigated.
It will only be able to return following a formal request for reinstatement, a recommendation from World Rugby's Executive Board and approval from the Council.
Importantly, this does not affect Samoa's eligibility to compete in international rugby competitions.
With less than a year remaining until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, World Rugby will be keen to resolve the internal dispute and allow Samoa to concentrate fully on preparations for the tournament.
Samoa have been drawn alongside France, Japan and the United States in Pool D.
Despite being the fourth-seeded side in the group, they will believe they have a realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
