Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has earned a reputation as someone willing to fight passionately for the cause of the underdog in the game.
A qualified lawyer, the former Gloucester midfield back hit the headlines at last year's World Cup in New Zealand for speaking his mind on Twitter.
His language and references to some of history's worst atrocities might have been on the strong side.
But he is no mouthy whinger - a rebel without a cause à la Quade Cooper - and his point about bigger teams being given preferential scheduling treatment at World Cups has been rectified for the next tournament.
It therefore seems inevitable that the 32-year-old has strong feelings on the recent allegations made by former Racing Métro back-line coach Simon Mannix - that the Parisian outfit paid Fijian players to miss the 2011 World Cup. And Fuimaono-Sapolu wants clubs to realise how important it is for them to release players for international duty.
Although he was careful not to wade in with allegations of his own, Fuimaono-Sapolu said he was not surprised by Mannix's claims and pointed out the IRB's Regulation 9, which is the governing body's attempt to legislate the release of players for Test duty.
"The rules are unequivocal," he told Planet Rugby in an exclusive interview.
"To keep players from representing their country robs not only their country but the RWC tournament of the best players in the world.
"The RWC is meant to be the pinnacle of rugby, where the best players in the world compete against each other having had the best preparation and are at their most fittest, strongest and under the most pressure. It's a celebration of the rugby world's greatest players.
"Quite simply when the best players are not there, it's not the best tournament. Not to mention the hopeful children who wake up at ungodly hours to support their countrymen.
"It's a lose-lose (situation). It really is a blight on the game."
Powerful words indeed but this is hardly surprising as Fuimaono-Sapolu is no shrinking violet.
He believes the battle between clubs and countries is not as simple as it looks and said he was unsure whether punishing players or clubs, found guilty of breaking the rules, would solve the problem.
"The thing is not many players will tell of this treatment because they want to keep their jobs," explained Fuimaono-Sapolu, who is currently plying his trade with Coca-Cola West Red Sparks in Japan.
"There are so many ways to 'entice' a player to make themselves unavailable for national selection.
"I don't know if a punitive approach though will solve the matter. More information and celebration of why it is important for players to be released should be the aim.
"Clubs, especially European clubs, need to see the huge benefits to the player, country and world rugby by adhering to this regulation.
"They need to know that they are doing a good thing. It's great for world rugby. It's great for the fans of Fiji and other countries.
"And it's great for the player. They grow as players and will return to the club better and hopefully, with success at the RWC, they return with greater publicity and attention for their respective clubs.
"It's a gain-gain situation. Players want to represent their country even if it is for peanuts. I guarantee, if you have deprived a player of representing their country, you're not getting the best out of him. He's just working. There is resentment in his heart."
Fuimaono-Sapolu feels if the club versus country issue can be resolved then the game will be the ultimate winner - and that's not just in the feelgood sense.
Everyone knows that money talks, and ultimately makes all the major decisions in sport these days, and Fuimaono-Sapolu can see the financial benefits of giving the smaller rugby nations their due.
"Lots is said about money. I love rugby. I want to see it grow to the level football is on worldwide, but also to a competitive level where anyone can beat anyone. It's just because I love the game.
"The capitalists always talk about money. Well here it is. How much money does football make? Exactly. Loads. And they have the world's most popular game. Therefore, if you want money, then grow the game (rugby) worldwide."
His skills as a diplomat may need a bit of fine-tuning, but as a policy maker he is difficult to argue with.
By David Skippers
This is an extract from Planet Rugby's FREE weekly newsletter, the Crooked Feed, which featuring opinions, news and competitions. All you have to do is click here and sign up to receive our weekly email.
Comments
flash says...
I am totally confused what labor laws has to do with this.
unless 5Lock4ward meant those contracted players getting second jobs... very unnecessary comment though
Posted 21:55 26th November 2012
Bronco says...
"those team's policies of refusing to select players based in Europe or Japan ... the best players should be made available to all international teams at all times regardless of which tier they're currently in."
The best players are made available to NZ and Australia, they refuse to select players who abandon their nation's competitions to line their own pockets, and so they should.
Being an All Black or Wallaby is about more than just being a good player, it's also about commitment to the jersey and nation (something young QC is finding out the hard way).
I don't want a player who would rather play in Europe than NZ in an All Blacks jersey, and I suspect most Kiwis would agree.
Posted 07:35 26th November 2012
Patron says...
Almost all problems involving the IRB evolve from its racially based voting system. Tonga, Samoa and Fiji receive 1/48 the votes of the English and their Celtic colonies. The Bleatingish Isles receive more votes than the entire Southern Hemisphere. Consequently unfair scheduling, unfit and incompetent referees and clubs that flout the rules with impunity.
Posted 23:30 25th November 2012
Monkeyboy says...
What with the renegotiation of the HCup underway wouldn't this be the ideal time to restructure the season? Ensure that the club season is done & dusted prior to the internationals, so clubs won't be disadvantaged and therefore won't need to 'dissuade' players from playing for their country. As a cheeky suggestion, move the northern hemispheres season to summer so I can get a tan on the terraces.
Posted 11:50 25th November 2012
GoWalesGo says...
jontheref
What would you expect them to do? The IRB don't actually have much power, if any.
It's up to the players whether or not they take the contract, for these islanders more or less every time they will take the money because they need it.
The only way to change it is by having more professional leagues around the world so that international talent is spread and has less of an impact on the clubs or a global season.
Posted 09:36 23rd November 2012
tha_mai says...
5Lock4ward says... think may violate labor laws.
well you've got me there. In my 18 years in international recruitment and immigration, USA, UK, Australasia and Asia and I cannot think of anything you may be referring to? What 'labor laws'?
Each country has its own. No international treaty for sportspeople.
Stick to the rugby.
Posted 04:11 23rd November 2012
Willy says...
No Clubs games during test test window is not a viable option.
The French top 14 runs from August-June
Rabo August - May
EPL August - May
Add in the Heinken Cup and Amlin too.
Then 6 Nations
The Super 15 Feb - August
Add in NPC and Currie cup
Then Rugby Championship
So when can there be a break for Test Rugby? The season in the north is too long as it stands club rugby cannot stop for test rugby every time.
This is a problem in the game and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu raises some good points as do other posters but I haven't seen one viable suggestion to resolve this.
If players are told they can't play for their clubs during international windows some will retire from international rugby so they can keep their job with their club.
I don't have any solutions other but people can't just moan the situation until the is a realistic alternative.
Posted 17:03 22nd November 2012
Tony says...
Lockward
OK although I'd be very interested to know which Labour Laws were being breached.
Posted 17:35 21st November 2012
5Lock4ward says...
@Tony, I know that the bulk of the players of Pacific Island descent on the AB's and Wallabies were born there and not poached. I was referring to those team's policies of refusing to select players based in Europe or Japan; a policy which I disagree with and think may violate labor laws. But good for NZ and Australia for having the depth of talent to be able to enact such a policy. The point I was trying to make was that for the good of the global game the best players should be made available to all international teams at all times regardless of which tier they're currently in. The IRB needs to step up for the good of the global game. The simplest way to do it would be to have no club rugby coinciding with international test windows.
Posted 17:09 21st November 2012
markpat says...
On the reference to football. International football teams are constantly weeakned by players feigning injury, in order to remain with their clubs. Not just so they can play, but to avoid injuries.
Football is not a good role model at all.
Posted 15:29 21st November 2012
Tony says...
"NZ and Australia's domestic player only policies, we'll begin to see parody among all nations in international play."
This is just nonsense. The overriding majority of people who play in NZ super 15 sides are New Zealanders and wish to play for NZ. The NZRFU spends considerable money subsidising the 5 sides and rightly wishes to protect its investment. These retrictions do not apply to same extent in NPC however. It is not part of the mandate of the NZRFU to promote Pacific Island rugby and for it to do so would be contrary to its Articles.
Posted 12:37 21st November 2012
Tony says...
Before we get all misty eyed about what he says, remember that he also nailed the Samoan RFU for corruption and waste. Much of IRB financing to the Islands has been p-----d up a against a wall. Reform is needed not only at the IRB but also in Samoa and Fiji.
"NZ and Australia's domestic player only policies"
NZRFU's primary obligation is to NZ rugby. It is short of funds and must be seen to be ensuring the ongoing development of rugby in NZ. This includes pumping substantial resource into Super 15 sides. The overwhelming number of Pacific Islands who play for NZ's Super 15 sides are not imports from Samoa (although 2 non-NZ qualified are permiited per Super 15 franchise) but New Zealanders. Why should thsi be compromised when the development of players has been signifcantly subsidised by the NZRFU?
Posted 12:30 21st November 2012
flash says...
Very well said Sapolu,
Im begining to be a fan of this guy. He should be on the IRB board.
Rugby will never get as big as Football, not even 1% if IRB does not open up options to grow the game globally. Currently its way not enough.
Hope to see more changes and imporvements to the game soon.
Posted 00:57 21st November 2012
tongan_pride says...
Keep it up brother .... support coming all the way from the Friendly Islands (Tonga).
Posted 21:16 20th November 2012
jaycee_111 says...
the scheduling of world cup games ia ll about deriving the largest tv audience hence a higher revenue for the tv companies that pay for it. The largest tv audience comes from the larger countries funnily enough. If the schedules are made fairer and the smaller countries play in the best time slots tv revenue falls and the smaller countries get less money handed out from the IRB as they collect less from the WC. Simple logic beyond some people it would seem.
Player release I am all for but game scheduling is there for profit.
Posted 19:30 20th November 2012
5Lock4ward says...
@Fraserpark, In one regard you are correct in terms of there being a lot of revenue being generated by Pacific Island rugby. But that doesn't mean that those national sides should be marginalized in favor of the clubs who pay their respective players. Let them play club rugby in Europe, Japan, NZ or what have you but don't tell those players they can't play for their country. The best thing the IRB could do is say that no club games can be played during the international tournament windows. Then the clubs wouldn't have a need to keep these guys around to cover their English, French etc. player losses during the tours. When the IRB finally steps in and clears all obstacles to players representing their home nations, including NZ and Australia's domestic player only policies, we'll begin to see parody among all nations in international play.
Posted 13:08 20th November 2012
jose_jones says...
During the world cup I would have gladly put a sock this this guys mouth,.. but I have to say,.. I am warming to him,.. The Island nations need people like Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu... keep it up Fella.
Posted 09:58 20th November 2012
jontheref says...
iRB is particuarlt toothless.
When have they done anything proactively?
It is always after someone points out the rather obvious unfairness, like the scheduling.
Don't agree with how Fuimaono-Sapolu went about it, like a hot head, but his message, if not his delivery had merit.
iRB is ponderously slow, and always appears tobe about 5 years behind the best thinkers.
At the end of the day, if the palyers collude with their employers, very little you can do about it.
But good luck forcing it through.
Posted 08:47 20th November 2012
koalabyte says...
Well said that man!
Posted 07:36 20th November 2012
swells07 says...
great article!
Posted 06:50 20th November 2012