Samoa's Rugby Union Chair and Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says the public backlash on the outcome of international games was a factor behind the decision of two top rugby officials to quit.
The SRU Chief Executive Officer Fred Amoa and head of the Unions High Performance Unit, Tuala Mathew Vaea, announced their resignations this week.
At an urgent board meeting on Wednesday, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i was appointed as interim CEO and Namulauulu Alama Ieremia as interim Manager for the High Performance Unit.
Tuila'epa says criticisms reached a peak when people poured out foul language against officials, but says it had also affected their families.
The Union says the latest resignations have created a major management challenge in the lead-up to the Apia test against the All Blacks in July and the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
A dispute between the Union and Manu Samoa players also remains unresolved, after the team threatened to boycott a test against England in November.
The SRU were also sued by uniform supplier BLK Sport late last year over unpaid debts, before announcing an extended contract.
