Australian Schools have defeated Samoan Schools 50-10 in the opening game of their four-match tour of Samoa and New Zealand.

The visitors scored seven tries to one on a warm afternoon in Apia, securing Australia’s ninth consecutive victory over Samoa at schoolboy level.

Australia looked to attack from the opening whistle and started the match quickly. Newington prop Opeti Helu split the line, before the ball was spread to centre James Armstrong who scored the opening try of the match.

Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan converted from out wide and added a penalty goal soon after to hand Australia a 10-0 lead.

With the Samoans on the back foot, flyhalf Issac Lucas and powerful Victorian No.8 Sunia Finefeuiaki combined, creating space for Gregory Terrace winger William Eadie, who showed plenty of pace to score Australia’s second try.

Eadie then chased down the Samoan fullback to save a certain try, but received a yellow card for his efforts. The home side crossed soon after, reducing the gap to just seven points.

With half time approaching, the Australian’s kicked up a gear and hit back quickly. James Armstrong scored his second try under the posts, as did William Eadie after returning from the bin, handing Australia a 31-10 lead at half time.

Issac Lucas set up fullback Luke Osborne to extend the lead shortly after the break, but the Samoan sun soon showed its full impact as players began to tire.

The Australians crossed twice more in the second half, with Tom Ross and Fraser McReight both scoring from lineouts to secure a 50-10 victory.

The squad now heads to New Zealand where they’ll face Fiji on Thursday and New Zealand Schools Barbarians and New Zealand Schools the following week.