ONE of the most controversial rugby figures on the planet has spoken exclusively to The Argus about the weekend's action in Brighton and his ongoing battle with the game's authorities.

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu is a Samoan star who effectively sacrificed his international career to speak out against the rugby regime.

He is of the view World Rugby - formerly the International Rugby Board - deliberately favours the top nations leaving the minnows to scrap for survival at the bottom of the food chain.

During the 2011 World Cup, he likened Samoa's scheduling to slavery, and took to Twitter to vent.

His outbursts ultimately cost him his career, and after becoming a fan's favourite down at The Rec with Bath and Kingsholm with Gloucester, he upped sticks to play in Japan.

The qualified lawyer never let up on his criticism of the game's suits, and having campaigned for months, it was announced New Zealand would tour Samoa earlier this year.

So, with the World Cup upon us, what did he make of Samoa's start?

The centre said: "No idea. I fell asleep watching them.

"They are the only tier two team without a short turnaround thanks to me.

"They have no excuses to fail so they had better make the most of what I sacrificed my career for."

He may not have been fussed by the Samoan helping, but Japan's heroics were a different matter.

He said: "I played for Samoa.

"We have next to no resources and we beat Australia in Australia, Wales in Wales and should've rolled South Africa in the last Rugby World Cup.

"I always believe anyone can win.

"Every team at an Rugby World Cup has been in camp for weeks. They are all physically primed and at their fittest, strongest and under the most pressure.

"The only difference is the mind. How much does that cost to build? Nothing. So I expect all teams to be able to win because being an intelligent team doesn't cost anything.

"When an extraordinary opportunity presents itself you take it.

"The universe, for the first time in the history of the game, had put Japan in a position to win the game.

"Why would you waste that opportunity for a chance to draw?!! When you're trying to empower your people, trying to ignite the self esteem of a inter-generationally battered rugby nation, trying to instill hope to children that they can be the greatest rugby players in the world, trying to bring patronizing tier one countries to tour your country, you go for the win.

"David did not hug Goliath and call for truce.

"He went for the kill. Always, always, go for the kill."

The 34-year-old knows all there is to know about Japanese rugby, having played for Coca Cola West Red Sparks in Fukuoka.

Players like Shane Williams, Mils Muliaina and All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams have all played Japanese club rugby, and it's starting to pay off.

Fuimaono-Sapolu said: "Japan havent been buying the best players and coaches in the world just to take pictures of them.

"They've been learning.

"We all know how hard the Asian kids study in school. That's what the Japanese have brilliantly done - studied.

"I played three years in Japan and as a top international player, they wanted me to do everything.

"Coach the backs, coach the forwards, stay 2 hours after training to train individuals, tell the team how to prepare for a game, what I eat, how long I sleep - everything.

"They expect the "gaijin" (foreigner) to teach the rest of the team everything they know.

"Rugby has been growing substantially in Japan. The world stars have increased the skill and more importantly the confidence of Japanese players and the win against South Africa is the ultimate proof of the rebirth of Japanese Rugby.

"Remember Japan is the smallest team in world rugby and they knocked off the biggest team in world rugby.

"If ever you wanted to know what intelligent rugby looks like, watch Japan."

The skillful 6'1" midfield man racked up 43 appearances for Bath and 54 for Gloucester, so how much of a change was it going from playing in the Premiership to plying his trade in the Far East?

"Big difference," he admitted.

"The players are much smaller than the English.

"The fields and conditions are much better in Japan.

"In England, most of the season is played in ridiculous winter weather so big slow players are good for big slow pitches.

"In Japan, yes they are smaller, but the skills are far better.

"Most of the English players in the midfield cant throw a miss pass from left to right let alone do it running at full pace without looking. The Japanese backs hit it every time.

"I went from being one of the best passers in Europe to being the worst in my Japanese team.

"They have all the skill but one thing Eddie Jones has been working on is courage to knock down the big foreign players. Obviously, they are much better at it now."

But as good as the opening weekend was, there is still a burning injustice in the tournament according to the Samoan.

He said: "Unfortunately, they have a ridiculously short turnaround against a very good Scotland team who include many players from the Pro12 winning team Glasgow.

"Unfortunately Japan's progress will depend on what they can get out of a game which World Rugby have again messed up on.

"A tired team will play a well rested team.

"I can't believe four years later and World Rugby still deliberately do this.

"It's appalling and it's unfair on both Japan and Scotland because there is no honour in beating weakened opposition."

"It is utterly pathetic.

"Four years later and its the same thing, but this time World Rugby have tried to disguise their fraud.

"Tier one teams have short turnarounds this tournament too but look who they play.

"After three days rest, New Zealand will play Namibia, France play Romania, South Africa play USA, Scotland play USA and Australia play Uruguay.

"Can you see something there?

"Tier one play the lowest ranked teams in their pool after a three day short turnaround.

"Tier two nations on the other hand, after three days rest - Fiji will play Australia after playing England, Romania play Ireland after playing France, Japan have Scotland after playing South Africa and Tonga have three games in nine days including Argentina and New Zealand one after the other with three days in between.

"You see something there?

"Yes. All tier two teams have top 10 teams after a three day turnaround.

"World Rugby are once again up to their match-fixing selves just like 2011.

"It invalidates the whole competition.

"It pitches tired teams against well rested teams.

"There is no honour in beating tired teams. It's pathetic.

"Note that this is not an accident. The scheduling wasn't accidentally made. It is all deliberate.

"This fraud is deliberate and its great to see many journalists exposing it this time round."