Sport: No regrets for SRU despite deficit in hosting ABs

Transcript

The Samoa Rugby Union believes hosting the All Blacks was money well spent despite losing more than half a millions US dollars.

Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai confirmed expenses for the Apia test, including training camps, player allowances, travel and accommodation, amounted to 1.3 million US dollars.

He told Vinnie Wylie the Union had expected to balance the books but only collected US$580,000 in revenue.

Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai: We're working right through with all our sponsors and stakeholders. We haven't really finalised the details with our finance at this point in time but if we look at the overall picture from the SRU point of view we're very happy with the situation of having the All Blacks come to Samoa. It has done wonders for the economy of Samoa and at the same time, with the broadcast to the outside world it's been a very good exercise in promoting Samoa.

Vinnie Wylie: In terms of those costs that were incurred, I guess having the team in camp for an extended period of time, irrespective of the All Blacks, it's a World Cup year, it's a huge year and [there are] big opportunities if the Manu Samoa team can do well so I guess part of those things were required anyway?

VF: Absolutely. Most of the cost associated with our own team having to come in a little bit earlier to prepare for this test match but at the same time we're looking at the long haul down the road, which is the Rugby World Cup. From our point of view, I think we've left no cost spared to prepare our team and that was a good stepping [stone] to start with the All Blacks and see where we are.

VW: At the start of the year as you were planning this All Blacks test, and before that match happened, did you have an idea that this might be the sort of figure that could be the loss? Was it always likely you were going to lose money or did the figure come as a surprise?

VF: We were looking at probably breaking even as such but we were expecting to earn a little bit more from broadcasting and maybe as well would have got a bit more sponsorship but, in saying that, I think in the long-haul it was such a success that I think we are expecting a little bit more support now sponsorship-wise in moving forward.

VW: So there is confidence or some indication there that your sponsors and the government as well, possibly, and your partners may come to party off the back of all this and you guys will get some support?

VF: Yes, absolutely. The success of the event a lot of people were excited about the whole thing and surprised that everything went off well and I think we're talking a lot more with future sponsors and so forth, as we speak.