3 August 2026, Apia Samoa. Lakapi Samoa Board Member, Afioga Papalii John Taimalelagi Afele, has officially rendered his resignation as the appointed Independent Member of the Board with a legal background.
Responding to questions from Samoa Global News, Papalii confirmed his resignation from the Lakapi Samoa Board, as of today.
A copy of the resignation letter obtained from SGN sources outlines Papalii’s courteous exit from the Lakapi Samoa Board, through official correspondence addressed to Namulauulu Sami Leota as the Interim Chair.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to serve on the Board and to contribute, in my legal capacity, to the governance and development of Lakapi Samoa..”
Papalii John, who is a senior member of the Sapapali’i Rugby Club and Tournament Director of the annual Sapapali’i International 7s tournament, is also Samoa’s Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration.
Papalii John is a lawyer by profession – appointed to the Board of Lakapi Samoa two years ago as one of three Independent Board Members.
Independent Board Members are selected by the Vetting, Appointments and Remuneration Committee by specific criteria set out in the Lakapi Samoa Constitution, which requires a member with (1) an Accointing/Finance background, (2) a Commercial/Marketing background and (3) a Legal Background.
Papalii John had served on the Board as the Independent Member, Appointed on the basis of his Legal background.
World Rugby confirms they shall be conducting an independent assessment of the current rift between Lakapi Samoa and a newly launched Samoa Rugby Union led by former Lakapi Samoa Board Member, Matafeo George Latu.
While the World Rugby Independent Assessment is being conducted, other Lakapi Samoa Board members have recused themselves from the investigations and assessment.
As of publication, SGN understands no other Lakapi Samoa Board members have stepped down or resigned, as widely misreported on social media.
SGN shall continue to report on this developing story responsibly and not through speculation and unverified facts.
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