The former Manu Samoa head coach, Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua, is suing the Samoa Rugby Union for terminating his contract.
Fuimaono also coached Manu Samoa at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The case was heard before the chief justice, Patu Falefatu Sapolu, yesterday but has been adjourned to the 10th of December for the respondent to file and serve a written response.
Fuimaono was appointed last year on a contract through until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He led the Manu to five consecutive defeats before home and away wins against Germany secured their passage to Japan.
But in August the SRU announced it would readvertise the position. Fuimaono was the only local candidate to apply and made the shortlist however former Blues assistant coach Steve Jackson was appointed to the role the following month.
It's the second legal action by a former coach against the Samoa Rugby Union in recent years.
The first was filed by the former sevens head coach Damian McGrath, in 2016, for the termination of his contract in which he alleged breaches of his contract.
The case has not yet been heard because the court of appeal last month has upheld an application from the rugby union for the plaintiff to pay first a surety of around fifteen thousand US dollars.