When Lakapi Samoa sought a new coach for the Manu Samoa XV, they publicly advertised the position with the move appearing to have caught the incumbent, Seilala Mapusua, by surprise as he still had eight months left on his contract.

ABC reported that the decision to replace Mapusua has sparked controversy, with former All Blacks Lima Sopoaga, who represented Samoa at last year's World Cup, suggesting that he and other heritage players might reassess their involvement with the team.

Meanwhile, Samoa's national sevens team is facing an uncertain situation in the World Series, nearing a potential relegation battle.

Chief Executive Officer of Lakapi Samoa, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai is currently handling multiple challenges but despite the uproar, he is standing by the union's choice to appoint former captain Mahonri Schwalger to lead the men's XV team.

"Mahonri's work goes way back into the union and he's been working with our development teams and and taken some of our development teams to competitions overseas and then was recently in the last couple of years was the assistant coach for Seilala," he told ABC.

"The union team seems to differ on the result of what's been happening I think there was a review that was done and I guess that's where the board decided that it was the right time to make changes and I think to move forward for the next World Cup, and if we can give Mahonri every opportunity to start developing a team for the next World Cup."

Asked by ABC whether it was disrespectful to not inform Seilala about his position being terminated early, Faleomavaega said there was a review. 

"There was a review that he was part of and a report was submitted to the board in January and then the board decided from the result of that review to re-advertise the position," he said.

"Mahonri has worked his way back."

Mase Mahonri Schwalger was appointed last month as the new Head Coach of Manu Samoa and will take over the reins from Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua.