Samoan centre Fuimaono-Sapolu slams racist IRB

Samoan centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu could face disciplinary action from the IRB after he slammed Rugby World Cup organisers on Twitter after Samoa’s 17-10 loss to Wales.

The Gloucester centre accused the International Rugby Board of “unfair treatment” as Samoa played two matches in four days while Wales enjoyed a week’s preparation for the Test.

Fuimaono-Sapolu went on to accuse the IRB of exploitation his nation and compared Samoa’s treatment to slavery, the holocaust and apartheid.

Samoa coach Titimaea Tafua insisted his side’s four-day turnaround was “not an excuse” for the defeat in Hamilton but Fuimaono-Sapolu was enraged.

He Tweeted: “IRB, Stop exploiting my people. Please, all we ask, is fairness. If they get a week, give us a week. Simple. #equ(al)ity #justice.”

He later added: “Ok, it’s obvious the IRB are unjust. Wales get 7 days, we get 3. Unfair treatment, like slavery, like the holocaust, like apartheid.

“Give Wales 3 days off and give Samoa a week! We would kill them!”

“You can’t get punished for speaking out against injustice. That would be unjust. Anyone can tackle a man. Try tackling injustice.”

An IRB spokesman said of Fuimaono-Sapolu’s Tweet’s “It is very disappointing.”

Fuimaono-Sapolu could be disciplined by the IRB if they feel that he has broken the Rugby World Cup code of conduct which has guidelines for the use of social media.

The IRB generate most of their funds from Television rights for the Rugby World Cup and the schedule puts the leading rugby countries into the best possible broadcast slots to maximise them commercially.

Smaller nations such as Samoa and Georgia have been forced into schedules which have quick turnarounds between matches.

Rugby World Cup organisers could resolve the issue by cutting the number of teams to 16 but then that undermine their goal of growing the game.