Samoan Stars Call Out World Cup Pay Gap, Digi Mart USA News: Samoan rugby league star Spencer Leniu has accused the International Rugby League (IRL) of exploiting the massive popularity of Pacific nations without fairly compensating their players during the Rugby League World Cup.
Following the exits of Samoa and Tonga from the tournament, Leniu took to Instagram on Monday to call out a glaring pay disparity. He highlighted that while Kangaroos players earn between $30,000 and $40,000 for the tournament, players from emerging nations are paid just $850 per game.
Pointing to the record-breaking attendance at CommBank Stadium for the Tonga v Samoa group stage clash, Leniu argued that the Pacific teams “carried” the World Cup competition. “I’ve done everything this game has to offer, and one thing I want to make sure of moving forward is that the younger generation who choose to represent their beautiful little nations get what they deserve,” Leniu wrote on Instagram.
“Let’s be honest, our little nations carried this WC. Yet we are (paid) $850 a game to the Aussies $30/40k for the tournament,” he added.
“There’s no secret that they’ve used our people to sell games. Look no further than Samoa vs Tonga.”
Leniu said the match was arguably the most hyped and anticipated game of the tournament, and that Pacific fans turn up in numbers, fill stadiums and create an atmosphere filled with pride and passion. “Us Polynesians/Kiwi boys will always put their hands up to represent their nations.
It’s in our blood,” he wrote. “It’s our pride, our culture.
But that passion shouldn’t be an excuse to overlook what we contribute and what we deserve.”
The criticism comes on the back of the IRL announcing major changes for the next Rugby League World Cup, with the tournament heading to the United States for the first time. Leniu said the decision to take the next tournament to the U.S., specifically Utah and Hawaii, where there is a large Polynesian community, shows the importance of Pacific players in growing the game.
“So I believe if they are going to use that as a tool to generate money, our little nations should be compensated fairly for it,” Leniu continued. “I’ll use my voice and platform to push for change, because the next gen deserve it.
If that means putting head on the chopping block, then so be it.”
Leniu’s stance was backed by Samoa teammate Jarome Luai, who publicly called out NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys and the NRL over the issue on his social media.
The IRL’s announcement on Monday said the U.S. host cities have not yet been announced, but confirmed that Magic Round-style weekends would take place, where all matches will be held at the same stadium.
“This is a strategy to maximise the interest of broadcasters, government partners and fans in the current World Cup, which has regularly broken records for crowds and the number of television viewers because of the outstanding skill, intensity and passion of the players and teams,” IRL chairman Troy Grant said. “We want to take advantage of opportunities that are opening up in new frontiers where the Rugby League World Cup hasn’t previously been played.”
Hawaii, California and Utah are considered viable destinations to host World Cup games given their large Polynesian populations. The move comes as the NRL continues to play season openers in Las Vegas, with 2027 set to be the fourth straight year of the experiment.
The IRL also announced that the next men’s tournament would include 12 teams, with the women’s draw increased to 10 nations. The decision would open the door for Italy, Greece, Ireland, Scotland, Jamaica and the United States to take part.
There are also plans to host the 2034 Rugby League World Cup in Europe.
