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Samoa's Mahonri Schwalger - Source: Photosport
An independent audit of the Samoan Rugby Union has found no misappropriation or mismanagement of funds over the World Cup period.
Manu Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger blasted team management after they were knocked out of the pool stage of last year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Schwalger claimed Samoan Rugby Union (SRU) officials and team managers had treated the campaign as a "massive holiday", spending much of the time drinking alcohol at the team hotel with their mates.
SRU CEO Su'a Peter Schuster denied the allegations claiming that it was part of his job to socialise and "make the families and sponsors feel good".
Following the report from Schwalger, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of the SRU, ordered an independent audit of spending around the World Cup period.
The audit covered the 10 months leading up to and including the tournament and the financial report from ex-team manager Matthew Vaea was used to compile the RWC accounts that were audited.
The report concluded that the accounts showed a fair reflection of the financial position of the Union and did not highlight any mismanagement of funds over the period.
However the auditor noted that because the Union had "limited control" over fundraising revenue it was difficult to know exactly how much had been raised.
The report made recommendations on how such fundraising efforts could be improved in the future.
