‘People’s Captain’ speaks

Former Manu Samoa captain, Mahonri Schwalger, has added his voice to a growing chorus of high profile people calling for changes at the administration of the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U).

Speaking out for the first time over the latest clash between the Union and the Manu Samoa, the Super Rugby champion who was sensationally sacked by the S.R.U. after questioning the lack of transparency and accountability from the Union, told the Samoa Observer that unless the issues raised in the 2011 Audit report are addressed, Samoan rugby will struggle to move forward.

“It’s time for change,” Schwalger told the Samoa Observer at Sauniatu where the Rugby Samoa Academy had camped over the weekend.

Rejected for national selection by the Union, Schwalger has turned down an offer to finish up his playing career with rich club, Toulon, in France so he could concentrate on developing the next generation of Samoan rugby stars through the Academy.

Opened two months ago, the Academy announced its first two scholarships during the camp.

Schwalger, who had earned the name the People’s champion over his crusade for an improved S.R.U, said he is extremely disappointed about what is happening with Samoan rugby today.

Reiterating a call he made after the Rugby World Cup in 2011, Schwalger said Samoan rugby has great potential to compete with the best in the world.

However, 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.

The Audit report in question identified weaknesses and the lack of internal controls in the handling of finances – among other management problems - at the Union.

Prepared by Lesa ma Penn Certified Public Accountants, the report slams the Union’s failure to address a number of problems brought to their attention. In a letter from the Auditors to the Chairman of the S.R.U.’s Executive Committee dated 6 January 2012, it points to the lack of effort made to rectify problems highlighted in the past.

“We would appreciate if management, and the Board, would take a more proactive and responsive role in taking actions to rectify and resolve issues which have been identified and reported,” the letter reads.

Among the issues highlighted are:

• Absence of a fixed assets register, • No formal system to capture all sponsorships received in kind;

• No segregation of duties regarding the process of receiving and recording revenue;

• Significant delays in banking cash;

• Absence of supporting documentation for vouchers.

The problems were quite apparent when the Auditors delved into the money raised to send the team to the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

The Fundraising collected millions from members of the public and the business community.

According to the Audit, one of the biggest problems in accounting for the money was the “missing receipt books.”

“During the audit fieldwork, management were unable to provide the following receipt books - a. Office receipt book from January 2011 to June 2011 b. Eight radiothon receipt books - Receipt book #29 - Receipt book #40 - Receipt book #41 - Receipt book #49 - Receipt book #67 - Receipt book #69 - Receipt book #74 - Receipt book #91,” the report reads.

In response, the Samoa Rugby Union said the staff were instructed to collect and reconcile radiothon receipts but obviously did not follow through on instructions.

The Audit also uncovered that there were missing pages from receipt books.

“During the audit fieldwork, it was noted that pages of receipts, and their carbon copies, had been pulled out."

Schwalger said the allegations are not new and the Manu Samoa players are well aware about them. For him personally, he said he sacrificed his international career to try and shed light on what was happening.

“It was all for the future of rugby in Samoa,” he said. “I had no doubt about it (accusations against S.R.U.). I had put my career on it and it was a sacrifice I’ve got to take.

“I don’t think I need to say anything else.

The people can judge from that (Audit report) and hopefully we can move on and get peace of mind.”

Asked about comments from S.R.U. Vice Chairman, Lefau Harry Schuster, where he vehemently denied any wrongdoing, Schwalger was reserved.

“I don’t want to say too much about it,” he said. “I’m just waiting for another week hoping that things will change. If it doesn’t then I’ll come out.”

Last week, Lefau had disputed the content of the Audit report from Lesa ma Penn.

“I deny any wrongdoing, misuse of monies and all other allegations,” he said. “I did everything according to procedures and practices of the Union and I acted in accordance to the Union’s Constitution.

“There is not one person on the Board who has eaten or stolen any money. None of us are crooks or corrupt.”