Manu Samoa coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger was arrested on sexual assault charges last week according to reports in Samoa.
The Samoa Observer reported that former Samoa captain Schwalger, 46, was arrested on Thursday 26 September and will appear in court on Monday 4 November after being charged with "with multiple serious offences, including unlawful sexual connection, attempted sexual violation, sexual conduct with a person under 16, indecent assault, and common assault."
Schwalger, who was appointed in March on a four-year contract until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, led Samoa to a third-place finish at the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan in September.
Samoa Global News quoted Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo as saying: "There are two complainants…they are his family members.”
Mase was released on bail and will need to make weekly visits to the check in with the police until his court hearing begins next month.
The Samoa Observer reported that Rugby Samoa, whose known locally as Lakapi Samoa, sent them a statement saying: "We will not be commenting further to protect the privacy and rights of all parties involved.
"While the investigation is ongoing, Rugby Samoa remains committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and providing a safe and respectful environment for all."
The governing body, which earned World Rugby affiliation in 1988, is yet to clarify if Schwalger will remain in his role until the court case has been heard.
News emerged in August that Rugby Samoa had pulled out of its Northern Hemisphere tour due to financial challenges.
Lakapi Samoa board chair, Tu'ilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, sent a letter to World Rugby's chairman Sir Bill Beaumont in July to explain the decision was to "avoid embarrassment of being the first small union to go bankrupt."
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