The captain of Samoa's rugby team has blown the whistle on his side's World Cup campaign, claiming some officials and team managers treated it as a "massive holiday" involving alcohol and mates.
In a report to the Samoan Prime Minister, captain Mahonri Schwalger singled out union vice-chairman Lefau Harry Schuster, chief executive Su'a Peter Schuster, team manager Tuala Matthew Vaea and assistant manager Ryan Schuster for the team's failure in the tournament.
"We, as a team, feel that our preparation was tainted by not having people in vital positions committed to their duties and responsibilities before every game," Schwalger said.
"From Harry, to board members that were there at the World Cup, they treated this as a massive holiday." Peter Schuster said yesterday the captain's report was "factually incorrect" but he did not elaborate.
The others could not be contacted or did not return calls.
Schwalger also said he and the other Samoan players were paid an allowance of $1000 a week during the cup. He had discovered that Tongan and Fijian players were paid $1500 a week, and also received thousands more dollars in a one-off payment before the tournament.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, has ordered a full audit of the union's World Cup donations and funding.