Samoa have announced that Mahonri Schwalger has stood down as head coach with immediate effect.
Samoan officials told Mapusua earlier this year that he wouldn’t be kept on and the position has since been given to Mahonri Schwalger.
The 45-year-old replaces Seilala Mapusua who has paid the price for what the Samoan Rugby Union feel was a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign.
The decision is believed to be based on results at Rugby World Cup 2023 and has been met with some surprise.
That door is still open in 2024, and now in camp with Moana Pasifika, his ties to the Manu Samoa squad are only growing.
England entered their match against Samoa in Lille on Saturday knowing they were Pool D winners, but Steve Borthwick will be all too aware that his side were one unsuccessful diving tackle from Danny Care away from yet more ignominy.
Samoa’s Rugby World Cup campaign came to a “disappointing” end on Saturday night. They were minutes away from their first-ever win over England but fell painfully short of history.
Samoa brought their World Cup to an end with comfortably their best performance of the tournament, as they narrowly fell to England 18-17 in Lille.
Christian Leali'ifano has delivered a message for England ahead of next weekend’s Pool D finale in Lille.
The result meant England will top Pool D – the winner between Japan and Argentina next week will join them in the World Cup quarter-finals.