Samoan star and Rugby League World Cup semi-finalist Spencer Leniu has called for fairer pay between all international teams going forward.

Leniu helped his Samoa side to the final four of this year’s tournament, before they crashed out to holders Australia over the weekend.

Samoa and fellow Pacific Nation Tonga have been two of the most interesting and entertaining teams to watch over the past month, and the prop believes that both countries’ players should be paid more as a result.

According to reports, the Australian men’s rugby league team were receiving upwards of $30,000 for the tournament in appearance fees, whilst Pacific Nations Samoa and Tonga were given around $850 per game.

Leniu is one of the most talked-about forwards in the NRL. Known for his aggression, leg speed and at times ill-discipline, the Sydney Roosters enforcer hopes to ‘use his voice and platform to push for change’.

In a strong statement released on Instagram, the 26-year-old called out the game’s governing body, saying that the small Pacific Islands “carried the World Cup.”

The clash between Samoa and Tonga was one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups of the entire World Cup, with the NRL and IRL profiting heavily from that contest.

With the tournament’s next instalment headed to places where there are plenty of Polynesian communities, Leniu hopes that next time around they will get paid a lot more fairly.

Spencer Leniu calls out Rugby League World Cup pay disparity as “used our people” claim made

“I’ve done everything this game has to offer,” Leniu said on his own social media. “One thing I want to make sure of moving forward is that the younger generation who choose to represent their beautiful little nations get what they deserve.

“Let’s be honest, our little nations carried this WC. Yet we are paid 850 a game to the Aussies’ 30/40k for the tournament.

“There’s no secret that they’ve used our people to sell games. Look no further than Samoa vs Tonga. Arguably the most hyped up and anticipated game of the tournament. They make it a triple header because our people turn up in numbers, fill the stadiums and create an atmosphere filled with pride and passion.

“Us Polynesians/Kiwi boys will always put their hands up to represent their nations. It’s in our blood. It’s our pride, our culture. But that passion shouldn’t be an excuse to overlook what we contribute and what we deserve.”

Commenting on what he wants to see going forward, Leniu added: “Taking the next WC to the US, specifically Utah and Hawaii [unconfirmed host cities at present], where there is a big Polynesian community shows the importance of our people in growing our game.

“I believe if they are going to use that as a tool to generate money, our little nations should be compensated fairly for it.

“I’ll use my voice and platform to push for change, because the next gen[-eration] deserve it. If that means putting my head on the chopping block, then so be it. This is bigger than me!”

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