SAMOAN RUGBY STAR LIMA SOPOAGA VOICES OUTRAGE OVER NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP EXCLUSION
Lima Sopoaga shared his thoughts about the World Rugby announcement for the Nations Championships (Photo: Manu Samoa Facebook)
In a powerful and heartfelt social media statement, former All Black and current Samoan international rugby player, Lima Sopoaga, has spoken out against the exclusion of smaller rugby-playing nations, like Samoa, from the newly approved Nations Championship. The tournament, endorsed by World Rugby, has raised concerns due to its structure, which effectively stunts the growth of tier-two teams by imposing a ring-fence without any promotion or relegation until 2030.
Sopoaga, a prominent figure in the rugby world, expressed his deep disappointment, claiming that the Nations Championship was initially viewed as a beacon of hope for smaller nations, offering them the chance to compete with the giants of the sport and demonstrate their skills on a global stage. However, the reality has shattered that dream, as these smaller nations, including Samoa and Tonga, have been left out of the competition, which is set to commence in 2026.
The decision to exclude these teams, as Sopoaga points out, reflects a power imbalance in world rugby, where the interests of Six Nations and The Rugby Championship have been favored over the dreams and aspirations of smaller nations. He emphasized that this exclusion not only impacts the chances of improvement for these nations but also sends a discouraging message to the young talents within their communities who aspire to become the next great rugby players.
Rugby, Sopoaga contends, should stand for respect, inclusion, and fair play, but this decision appears to contradict those values. Despite the finality of this decision, he and the entire Samoan rugby community remain determined to fight for their place in the global rugby arena. The flame of passion for rugby burns brightly in their hearts, and they will continue to seek opportunities to showcase their skills, demonstrating that, as Sopoaga eloquently states, "Rugby is in our blood, and no decision can extinguish that fire."
