Mase Mahonri Schwalger Photo: Lakapi Samoa
The Manu Samoa head coach has been charged with "multiple serious offences" including "sexual conduct with a person under 16", according to local media reports.
Mase Mahonri Schwalger, who was appointed by Lakapi Samoa to lead the national rugby team in March, was arrested last Thursday and will appear in court on 4 November.
Samoa media reported at the weekend that Samoa Police charged Mase "with multiple serious offences, including unlawful sexual connection, attempted sexual violation, sexual conduct with a person under 16, indecent assault, and common assault."
The online news portal, Samoa Global News, reported that police confirmed that two complainants filed allegations against the coach.
"There are two complainants…they are his family members," Samoa's Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, was quoted as saying by the news website.
Mase has been released on bail and his bail condition requires that he signs in with police on a weekly basis, until his first court appearance.
Lakapi Samoa confirms issue
Lakapi Samoa said in a statement they have referred all questions to police and will not comment any further.
"The matter has been reported to the police and we are fully cooperating with their investigation," the Lakapi Samoa statement said.
"We will not be commenting further to protect the privacy and rights of all parties involved.
"While the investigation is ongoing, Lakapi Samoa remains committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and providing a safe and respectful environment for all."
The union "is yet to clarify in Mase would continue in his role or has been stood down pending his court case", the Samoa Observer reported.
Who is Mase Mahonri Schwalger
He is a former Manu Samoa captain, who also represented the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises; Highlanders, Hurricanes, and the Chiefs.
He also played Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Taranaki, and Counties Manukau in the NZ National Provincial Championship.
He holds the Mase matai title from the village of Saleaula in Savaii. He made his test debut for Manu Samoa in 2000 against Wales and went on to play for 40 tests for Samoa.
He led Manu Samoa in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and was vocal about the Samoa Rugby Union's handling of community raised funds that were to be distributed to the players at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
He retired in 2014.
He had been appointed as head coach in late March by the Lakapi Samoa for a four-year term, starting in 2024 and extending through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Under him, Manu Samoa had won four out of six Test matches this year.
He returned home to Apia last week with the team, after finishing third in the annual Pacific Nations Cup competition in Osaka, Japan.