Kieron Fonotia says Samoa do not expect any donation from England
Thursday 23 November 2017 17:23, UK
Samoa do not expect any donation from England's players, according to centre Kieron Fonotia.
Eddie Jones' men decided not to donate a portion of their £22,000 match fee to their opponents on Saturday after World Rugby doubted claims by the Samoan Union that their governing body was bankrupt.
Originally, England forward Mako Vunipola had suggested his team-mates should donate £1,000 each to their opponents, who earn £650 per player, but Fonotia believes Samoa do not expect any gesture from their hosts.
Fonotia said: "It isn't their [England's] issue. I don't expect England players to donate me £1,000. That isn't their problem.
"You see articles, but we don't read them. I know the Island teams could do with a bit of help, but to be honest I don't know enough about the situation. As a team, we don't deal with that type of stuff.
"For me personally, it hasn't been a distraction at all and it hasn't been for the rest of the boys either. Not playing the game was not an option. These are the games you live to play for as we get to play on the big stage."
Live International Rugby Union
Samoa captain Chris Vui echoed Fonotia's thoughts and claims his team are concentrated on playing against one of the best teams in the world.
Vui added: "There are distractions, but it is stuff we can't control. We are solely here for rugby and we want to bring pride back into the blue jersey. There will be a time when they [World Rugby] can help us, that but we are focused on the game.
"They get a good amount of pay and we get £650. There are things outside happening, but we trust those organisations to help us out in the future."
Samoa have not beaten England in seven attempts and have also lost their two autumn internationals against Scotland and Romania, respectively.
Titimaea Tafua has made three changes for their third and final Test at Twickenham, live on Sky Sports Action from 2.30pm.
Sale's TJ Ioane comes into the back row as Jack Lam shifts to No 8 and Ofisa Treviranus drops to the bench, while lock Josh Tyrell wins his second cap alongside Vui.
As for England, Eddie Jones has handed Jamie George and Sam Simmonds their first starts while Alex Lozowski, Danny Care and Ellis Genge have also been included.
