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Manu Samoa appoint Mahonri Schwalger as their new head coach
By Jon Newcombe
Manu Samoa have named former captain and assistant coach Mahonri Schwalger as their new head coach ahead of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in August and September.
The 45-year-old replaces Seilala Mapusua who has paid the price for what the Samoan Rugby Union feel was a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign.
Under Mapusua, Samoa enjoyed some success with eight wins in his first 11 games in charge but they only managed to beat Chile in France, despite running England, Argentina and Japan close.
Schwalger played 40 times for Manu Samoa, captaining them on 13 occasions, and he also won two caps for the Pacific Islands in a Test playing career spanning 11 years and three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011).
The former hooker counts the Highlanders, the Hurricanes, Scarlets and Sale Sharks among his former clubs. Schwalger was Manu Samoa's scrum coach at last year's Rugby World Cup.
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Thanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
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