Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele "attacked rugby's antiquated governance and revenue-sharing system as the island powerhouse announced a major sponsorship aimed at taking them to a new level at next year's World Cup," according to Duncan Johnstone of STUFF. Samoa revealed on Monday "a new deal with Australian-based company Cromwell Property Group that should ensure a well-resourced squad for next year's tournament in England." The base sponsorship is "significant" but also includes major incentives -- NZ$250,000 ($207,000) for reaching the semifinals, NZ$500,000 for making the final and NZ$1M for winning the tournament. Samoa "has been a regular quarter-finalist at World Cups and Tuilaepa feels the incentive system will suit his players." Right now, he is just "simply delighted to get major revenue and support." Samoa and island players in general "have had to scatter to survive in the professional era." That "has left them vulnerable to rich offshore interests." Tuilaepa believed that "the new sponsorship would help Samoa get their top players for the next World Cup and put together a competitive warm-up programme" (STUFF, 9/8).
