11 Dec 2014

Sport: Schuster defends SRU over audit

12:42 pm on 11 December 2014

The Pacific's representative at World Rugby, Lefau Harry Schuster, has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the ongoing controversy between the Samoa Rugby Union and the Manu Samoa.

The Samoan Member of Parliament and vice chair of the SRU has also disputed the content of a 2011 Audit report by the accounting firm of Lesa ma Penn, which questions the administration of finances and other management issues at the union.

Lefau told the Samoa Observer that he denies all allegations in the audit report, and denies any wrongdoing, misuse of monies and other allegations.

The 2011 audit report, which the Samoa Observer published in full, identified weaknesses and the lack of internal controls in the handling of finances at the union.

The audit analysed the spending of millions of tala which was raised by members of the public, the business community in Samoa and others overseas.

It found that several receipt books used to account for funds raised were missing.

The audit also said some of the money was used on allowances and uniforms for SRU officials.

Lefau sys everything was done above board and no money was misspent.

Last week SRU chairman, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, named Lefau and Tuala Mathew Vaea, the current head of the High Performance Unit, as the two officials whom Manu Samoa players want sacked.

Tuilaepa defended the two officials, saying the players have no business making such a demand.