21 Feb 2015

Sport: SRU and players talking

9:32 am on 21 February 2015

World Rugby says the relationship between the Samoan players and Rugby Union is improving, with the two parties now engaged in talks.

Manu Samoa Rugby

Manu Samoa Rugby Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Manu Samoa team threatened to boycott a test match against England in November over concerns about the governance and management of the SRU.

Former players have also criticised the administration dating back to the 2011 World Cup.

World Rugby's General Manager for Asia and Oceania, William Glenwright, says meetings between the SRU and Pacific Islands Players' Association are progressing well.

"The communication barriers, I feel, have been broken down and we're all now working towards that one common objective. They are currently in talks to agree on a set of protocols that will clearly lay out the roles and responsibilities of both the players and the Samoa Rugby Union to ensure all national teams are prepared to the best of their ability. We're very confident those talks are progressing well. There's great communication between all parties and it's looking very positive ahead of the All Blacks test later this year."

William Glenwright says World Rugby is absolutely confident there won't be a repeat of what happened in November and the Apia test against the All Blacks will go ahead without a hitch.