Suspended and arrested
Allegations of abuse: national coach resigns
January 6, 2025 – 5:19 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The rugby scene in Samoa is in shock. Head coach Mahonri Schwalger is confronted with serious accusations – and is drawing consequences.
The head coach of the Samoa national rugby team, Mahonri Schwalger, has resigned from his position amid allegations of sexual abuse. The island state’s national rugby federation announced this on Monday.
The 46-year-old had been suspended since September last year after being charged with, among other things, sexual contact with a person under the age of 16. The process is still ongoing. According to local reports, Schwalger was arrested last week.
According to the news platform “Samoa Global News”, Schwalger was confronted by the police with further allegations such as “indecent touching” and “assault”. After his arrest he was released on bail. A court date is scheduled for November 4th.
Association president Sailele Malielegaoi made a brief statement but still paid tribute to Schwalger: “Mase gave everything for our country and his contributions to the team and our rugby community will always be recognized.”
The association left it open whether Schwalger would continue to work as a trainer. Under his leadership, Samoa recently played six test matches. Successes included victories against Italy and Spain, while the team lost to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup and ultimately finished the tournament with a third place finish.
Schwalger, who was active as a player until 2014, played 40 international matches for Samoa and captained the team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He was also successful in Europe, including for the Scarlets, Sale Sharks and the Chiefs.