APIA – Samoa revelled recently in the much-publicised visit to Apia by the All Blacks rugby team – however the Samoa Observer newspaper is raining a little on the nation’s after-match parade.

The good news is that the All Blacks have been to Samoa, the nation enjoyed the party and the Manu Samoa gave them a mighty good run for their money, the newspaper reports.

The bad news is that in the aftermath, the cash-strapped Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) is staring down the barrel of a S$1.5 million loss.

The loss was confirmed by the Chairman of SRU and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, during a media conference.

According to the Prime Minister, the historic match cost the Union S$3.4 million to put on.

“$3.4 million was spent to host the All Blacks,” he said. “The money was spent on preparations, the cost of everything. The bulk of the money went towards the players’ allowances.”

The Union collected $1.9 million in revenue from the game.

“So there was a loss of $1.5 million but that’s the reality faced by the Union. The truth is that the Union needs at least $10 million every year for its international fixtures,” said Tuilaepa.

Asked if the Union received any money from companies who sold Manu Samoa merchandise, Tuilaepa said all that money adds up to $1.9 million.

“It doesn’t cover our expenses, especially the extended camp for the players. Food, allowances, transport – it’s all money.”

The loss, Tuilaepa said, means the SRU will have to find something or somewhere to plug the hole.

“That’s why the union works hard to raise funds to offset the losses. Which means they will have to resort to government bodies for help.”

Among those government bodies is the Samoa International Finance Authority, which has been a major sponsor of Samoan rugby for the past few years.

On Thursday, Tuilaepa said the Union hosted its sponsors and supporters.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said the stakeholders were informed about the Union’s vision and longterm plans.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa also scoffed at the national boxing team that represented Samoa at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea last week.

Tuilaepa did not mince words about the team’s poor performance.

“I don’t know the people who are coaching that team,” said Tuilaepa.

“Not only they don’t know how to coach the kids to box, even the athletes are cowards.

“What I saw was an eyesore, I just couldn’t understand how they selected these athletes.”

As for the girl’s cricket team winning gold medal, Tuilaepa was surprised and pleased.

He said locals should focus more on the international cricket rather than wasting their time on the Samoan cricket that won’t get them anywhere.

Speaking about the girl’s cricket team, Tuilaepa said they have more guts than the boys.

He also commended the efforts the weightlifters, power lifters, touch rugby players and all the athletes who won gold medals.