8 Mar 2007

Samoa PM in NZ for talks on future of Manu Samoa rugby team

11:42 am on 8 March 2007

Samoa's prime minister and chairman of his country's rugby union, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, is in Auckland to discuss the transfer of Manu Samoa Limited shares currently held by NZ businessman, Sir Michael Fay.

The acting chief executive officer of Samoa's rugby football union accompanying the prime minister, Su'a Peter Schuster, says there is a possibility that Sir Michael will transfer all his shares.

Su'a says it's a positive move for the betterment of the sport not only in Samoa but for the Pacific region as well.

However he says his country's rugby union has a huge loan from Sir Michael and that will be an important part of the discussions.

While in Auckland, ,Tuila'pa will also meet with the IRB chief executive officer and chairman to discuss the development of rugby union in the Pacific and its future.