For the young Samoan team it was the third successive loss in four outings on a tour of South Africa and Australia. The Samoans have none of their Super 14 or European contracted players at their disposal and this is in essence a team made up of domestic club players.

The Reds took advantage of the tiring Samoans in the second half to record a comfortable win in a game in which Rugby League convert Clinton Schifcofske, playing at fullback, continued his rugby education with another sound performance. Schifcofske slotted three conversion from five attempts and set up a try for flank David Croft with some silky footwork.

Samoa were first to score with a drop-goal, while the Reds let themselves down with some poor handling early on.

But the machine began to click in the second quarter of the match, with skipper John Roe and teenage scrum-half Will Genia crossing for tries.

When a burst from centre Lloyd Johansson, who had been probing the Samoan defence with some typically barging runs, led to a try to wing Peter Hynes, the size of the task began to tell on the Samoans.

However the visitors ended the game as they had begun, hitting hard in defence and trying to run the ball at every opportunity.

The Reds' next trial match is against the Highlanders next Friday, January 26 (Australia Day), against at the Gold Coast  Stadium.

The scorers:

For the Reds:
Tries: Roe, Genia, Veratau, Hynes, Croft
Cons: Schifcofske 3

For Samoa:
DG: Lui

Teams:

Reds squad: Geoff Abram, Ole Avei, Berrick Barnes, Nic Berry, Andrew Brown, Caleb Brown, Quade Cooper, Ben Coutts, David Croft, Charlie Fetoai, Will Genia, AJ Gilbert, Sean Hardman, James Horwill, Herman Hunt, Peter Hynes, Lloyd Johansson, Tom McVerry, Ed O’Donoghue, John Roe, Clinton Schifcofske, Cameron Treloar, Ben Tune, Brando Va'alu, Henari Veratau, Gavin Warren

Samoa: 15 Keli Ateria, 14 Mikaele Senio, 13 Pati Fetuiai, 12 Jerry Meafou, 11 Timoteo Iosua, 10 Lolo Lui, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Ray Stark, 7 William Brame, 6 Justin Purdie, 5 Barry Papalii, 4 Mike Sala, 3 Pena Falefa, 2 Silao Vaisola, 1 Donald Kerslake (captain),
Replacements (from): Loleni Tafunai, Iakopo Eti, Luti Pese, Ulia Ulia, Filisoa Faaiu, Marlon Solofuti, Notise Tauafao, Doug Sanft, Uale Mai, Asalemo Malo, Willy Lafaele.

Date: Saturday, 20 January
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium Carrara
Kick-off: 19.00 (09.00 GMT)