Samoa: Culture and Connection

"We don't get the resources the big nations get." In Samoa even the school kids know the score. Has inequality become normalised?

''The big dream is for me is just this team fulfilling their potential that has been talked about for so many years.''

In Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup, Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapasua, head coach of Manu Samoa, says he wants to take his team on a journey:

But series host, James Nokise, gets emotional about the realities the team face:

'If it's 2022 and that's as good as a country like Samoa can expect, what are we doing?''

Back in Samoa, we hear from kids at a school tournament who know the score.

''We don't get the resources the big nations get, so we can prepare ourselves'''

But it's obvious this inequality has become so embedded in the system that it is now considered normal. Former Samoa captain and head of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare Dan Leo is determined to ask hard questions about the way Pacific players are seen:

''Where is that line drawn between opportunity and exploitation?''

There are stark choices to be made: as Kasiano Lealamanua, another of John's former teammates and now the only registered Pasifika player agent in New Zealand, puts it:

''Sometimes they have to choose between representing their country or not being paid. As PI people, a paycheck for us isn't just for us. You know, we're feeding not only a family, but we could be supporting multiple people in that village ...''

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details