Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien has sided with Samoa's rugby establishment against New Zealand in a bid to balance things up in the South Pacific.
O'Brien told The Telegraph newspaper in London he is trying to use his influence to make a difference after meeting Samoan prime minister TuilaepaSailele Malielegao, who complained that New Zealand was pinching the country's top rugby players by promising hefty salaries.
The 50-year-old mobile phone magnate said he had created a fund large enough to ensure the top 40 players will not have to leave the country.
"This is a bit of an experiment and I may do more of this in other parts of the world," he said.
"I hate bullies and New Zealand bullies the islands."
O'Brien last year used his deep pockets to lure former Juventus soccer coach Giovanni Trapattoni to become Ireland's national manager.
O'Brien is best known in Europe for being a thorn in the side of Irish media magnate, Sir Anthony O'Reilly, who he recently replaced as Ireland's third richest person, with an estimated fortune of 2.5 billion euro ($6.1 billion).
