By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Manu Samoa needs $6.5 million tala to compete in the September Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

While sponsorship covers $2 million, the public is being asked to make up the difference.

“We have a comprehensive fundraising plan in place,�? said Samoa Rugby Union secretary Lefau Harry Schuster.

“It includes events in Samoa, American Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

‘We’d also like to go to Hawaii and the United States but rugby is not strong in the communities there and we don’t have the necessary contacts.�?

Funding from major sponsors SIFA and Digicel and preparation grants from the International Rugby Board (IRB) make up the $2 million, said Lefau.

The secretary said preparations are also well underway for the national team.

“The $6.5 million is not just for the World Cup in New Zealand but also the preparations in the run up to it.�?

They include competing in the Pacific Nations Cup next month in Japan and Fiji, the test match with the Wallabies on July 17 and two warm up matches with Australia’s super rugby franchise the Western Force on August 20 and 27.

“We have identified a list of 55 professional players in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Europe to pick our World Cup squad from,�? said coach Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua.

“The team will be made up exclusively of top professional players and we’re very confident of going into this World Cup.�?

To give an example of how much other countries are spending on the World Cup, said Lefau;

“England (RU) has agreed to spend a staggering £$36 million (WST120 million) on their team  just for the World Cup.�?

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