RWC: Samoa shot themselves in the foot - Schwalger

Former captain Mahonri Schwalger greets Samoan fans at the last World Cup. Photo / Getty

Former Samoan captain Mahonri Schwalger has blamed the Samoa Rugby Union for the team's dismal displays at the World Cup.

Schwalger, who led Samoa at the last World Cup four years ago in New Zealand and was dropped after the tournament for criticising the team leadership, told the Samoan Observer newspaper that the union has handled the team poorly at the current tournament.

"We've got to stop playing politics," he was reported as telling the Observer today. "It's about rugby."

Schwalger, who turned out for the Chiefs in last year's Super Rugby competition, said a combination of bad coaching, lack of leadership and poorly chosen game plans had all contributed to Samoa under-performing in their World Cup pool which included a surprise loss to Japan and a hiding from South Africa, ruining their chances of reaching the tournament's knockout stages. Samoa play their final game of the tournament against Scotland on Sunday.

"As a former captain of Samoa, it was pretty hard to watch," said Schwalger who added he felt that the team should have reached the quarter finals given the calibre of players in their squad.

"Samoa should be in the top five in the world."

The game plan that had been used in matches against South Africa and Japan had been completely unsuitable, he said.

Schwalger called for the Samoa Rugby Union to make some major changes, including revamping the coaching team of Steve Betham and former All Black Alama Ieremia, to avoid a repeat in the next World Cup in Japan.

"The coaches are trying to come up with some excuses," said Schwalger. "If we don't make changes now, we're going to be suffering for the next few years. I think it's time for us to develop some young players."

The Observer said that its repeated attempts to contact the Samoa Rugby Union for comment were unsuccessful yesterday.

Earlier in the tournament, former Tongan captain Finau Maka also blamed his national union for Tonga's poor efforts in the current tournament.