KEY POINTS:
Relaxing international eligibility laws or inviting Samoa into New Zealand domestic rugby have been proposed as ways to lift the standards of the struggling Pacific island team.
Last night's 101-14 humbling at the hands of the All Blacks in New Plymouth prompted Samoan coach Niko Palamo and captain
Filipo Levi to call for help offshore to prevent them slipping further off the pace of the world's elite nations.
Palamo said his union was still consulting with Sanzar and the International Rugby Board (IRB) to get a Samoan team in the Super 14.
However, he believed the Air NZ Cup would be a more realistic level, comparing Samoa's inclusion to the various New Zealand teams who play in Australian national competitions in rugby league (NZ Warriors), basketball (NZ Breakers) and soccer (Wellington Phoenix).
"If New Zealand and Australia can do that with the Pacific Islands, bring a Samoan team, base it in Auckland and play in the NPC, or even in the second division or whatever, that will give us the chance to give experience to our players," Palamo said.
He appreciated the IRB's increased financial aid of recent years but Levi said the world governing body could do Samoa another favour by allowing a stand-down period for ineligible players keen to return to play for Samoa.
A good example was classy Canterbury No 8 Mose Tuiali'i, who has signed to play in Japan and is ineligible to represent Samoa because of his nine-test career for the All Blacks which ended more than two years ago.
"It is like one country and that is it," Levi said.
"A lot of guys are lost in the system. It is just something that the IRB, and hopefully the New Zealand Rugby Union can push for Samoa to look forward to the future."
Levi believed it is inconsistent that former Australian rugby league representative Brad Thorn is eligible to play rugby for New Zealand.
"I know it is a different sport, but it would be good to get a bit of fairness for the island nations."
Samoan-born All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina wasn't so convinced, believing Levi's suggestion would "open a can of worms".
"You allow it for one team and all of a sudden you've got guys changing year in and year out and you don't really want that," Muliaina said.
"The thing is, there is a lot of talent in Samoa. You saw out there guys you have never seen before and there were a few moments of brilliance from individuals.
"It's disappointing for guys like me when you see your home nation can get a lot better with help.
"If they can get the resources back there and a few expert coaches, they can go a long way.
"Hopefully the IRB can come on board with that and help them in that way."
- NZPA
