Top teams blasted over 'slavery' contracts for Islanders

A recently-retired Samoan player spoke passionately about the trend of overseas clubs snapping up many of the best players from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The English media are getting excited about the abundance of Pacific talent that will be on show at the World Cup, but have again raised questions about leading nations engaging in player poaching.

New Zealand is one country accused of pillaging the best Pacific talent, while less than ethical player agents and problems around players gaining releases from clubs for major tournaments remain parallel issues for Pacific players.

The Daily Mail suggests that although the Pacific Islands have long produced a hefty pile of talent to bolster nations around the world, their needs have not always been catered for in return.

Recently-retired Samoa captain Dan Leo spoke passionately about the trend of overseas clubs snapping up many of the best players from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, and compared some of their contract arrangements to slavery.

"The guys on the big contracts are the ones that are the publicised cases but there's just as many who are on less than no money in places such as Romania," Leo said. "There's no protection for some of these young players. Some of the stories I've heard are bordering on slavery. That's the ugly side of it."

New Zealand Under 20s selector Bevan Cadwallader denied accusations of player poaching and explained the unique place New Zealand holds. "A lot of those kids are very proud of their Samoan, Tongan and Fijian background but a lot see themselves as Kiwis as well," said Cadwallader. "So there's a lot that are born in New Zealand, come through the New Zealand system and play the game here and someone like [All Black centre] Ma'a Nonu is one those guys who has strong Samoan heritage but is largely a Kiwi.

"I don't see it as poaching. I don't think that anyone is trying to rip the Pacific Islands off. There's no professional rugby in Samoa so to play at the highest level they have to go offshore."

Polynesian XV
Israel Folau (Aus), Waisake Naholo (NZ), Tevita Kuridrani (Aus), Sonny Bill Williams (NZ), Noa Nakaitaci (Fr), Matt Toomua (Aus), Shalom Suniula (US), Taulupe Faletau (Wal), Jerome Kaino (NZ), Billy Vunipola (Eng), Samu Manoa (US), Will Skelton (Aus), Mako Vunipola (Eng), Keven Mealamu (NZ), Uini Atonio (Fr).