16 Dec 2014

Sport: Mahonri Schwalger calls for change at SRU

11:45 am on 16 December 2014

Former Manu Samoa captain, Mahonri Schwalger, has called for changes at the helm of Samoa Rugby, as the dispute between the players and Union rumbles on.

A 2011 Audit report leaked this month identified weaknesses and a lack of internal controls in the handling of finances at the SRU.

The audit analysed the spending of millions of tala which was raised from members of the public and business community in Samoa and overseas and found several receipt books used to account for funds raised were missing.

Schwalger was never selected for Manu Samoa again after criticising the SRU and team management in 2011 for their conduct during the World Cup.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Schwalger says that unless the issues raised in the Audit report are addressed, Samoan rugby will struggle to move forward.

He says the allegations are not new and the Manu Samoa players are well aware of them.

The 36 year old says he is extremely disappointed about what is happening with Samoan rugby today and says the absence of proper structures - and the Union's failure to address issues such as those identified by the Audit report - will continue to hamper progress.