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APIA - New Zealand sports minister Murray McCully has refuted claims that New Zealand was a bully in regards to Samoan rugby players.
McCully, who is currently in Samoa on his first visit as foreign minister, said although the claim may be strong, it is understandable.
"I won't say we have an image of bullying Samoa, people understandably are conscious of the fact that we have a drift of talent from the Pacific towards New Zealand and that is reflected in the rugby arena."
Samoan prime minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Malielegaoi did not mince words during the pair's first meeting in Apia, asking for McCully's help in easing conditions for Samoan players in New Zealand.
"I was enlisted by Tuilaepa to assist in terms of possible changes to the way in which rugby rules apply to players from the islands," McCully said.
The sports minister, who met with members of the Samoa Rugby Union yesterday, said there is an opportunity for change.
"It is healthy to identify those issues and I am satisfied there are some things we can do like revisiting the rules regarding selection for New Zealand representation.
"We are also looking into the opportunity for Pacific engagement in Premier competition.
"Those are issues that I know the rugby fraternity here feel strongly about and I think with good reason and we will try and support it," he said.
McCully returns to New Zealand tonight.
