By LIZ MOORE

Heading into a big clash with experienced Easts this week, Souths captain Luke Samoa believes his ‘gutsy’ young side is ready.

The 32-year-old fullback said whilst his team lost 39-24 to Bond on the weekend, they continue to improve each week.

“We did well to come back,” Samoa said about the loss to Bond. “They scored a few early tries in the second half, which put them out to a bit of a lead. But we managed to claw our way back to within three, I think, with five minutes to go.

“It was a good, gutsy effort from us, but we just couldn’t hang on there in the end. I think just a bit of experience from them got them through a couple of late tries.”

Samoa was happy with Souths overall performance. “I thought we did better than in previous weeks. We keep improving, which is a good sign for a young side like us.

“It’s always a bit of a challenge for us trying to get younger guys through in the grades and getting them used to the physical side of senior rugby.”

This will be tested again this week against a very experienced Easts side, but Samoa is not phased by the depth of the opposition.

“We didn’t do too bad in the trials (against Easts). We were actually quite happy before Covid with how that game went,” Samoa said.

“To play them again at home this week, it’s one that we’ve been looking forward to really test ourselves.

“We’ve been hunting for a win these last couple of weeks, I think that we can feel it in the group that we’re really close. We’re actually pretty excited about this weekend.

“They’ve got a few big-name players in their group. I think just in general the boys are looking at going at them and just testing themselves against those kind of guys to see where they’re at.

“In the forwards there, big Ben Mowen’s playing so a few of them are hungry to get at him, sort of have a go at him and rip in. As you do when you’re a youngster trying to get the old bull,” Samoa laughs as the old bull on the other side.

Souths have a lot of young players making their Premiership debut this year, many still eligible for Colts.

“It’s good for the club. There’s a lot of really good kids coming through that look like they’ve got a really bright futures ahead.”

Samoa has been particularly impressed with centres, 18-year-old centre Lukas Ripley and the more senior Michael Siaki.

“Lukas is doing really well. Michael’s been at the club a long time and he’s been one of our most consistent players this season. He’s just relishing his chance in Premier grade as well.

“We’ve got other good forwards coming through in the front row, and a couple of good second rowers as well who are really impressive and have got good potential.”

Samoa knows what to look for in his players, having started in rugby league while at school, playing in the Broncos system in under-20s, before switching to union and playing for Norths intially, before playing for six years in Romania.

On returning to Brisbane at the beginning of 2020, Souths coach Todd Dammers approached Samoa to captain his new side.

“I went down and watched a couple of times and was impressed by the young talent that was down there. I just thought that maybe I could add something to them, help them along, progress their careers in rugby if that’s what they’re after.

“I thought it would be a good chance to do something to give back.”

Samoa is keen to keep giving back to rugby into the future.

“I hope to stay in rugby. I haven’t decided where exactly, whether it’s through coaching or mentoring or just still playing through with the younger guys and giving experience and little tips and skills.”

Samoa’s passion for rugby extends into his family, with his wife Moana Barnes also putting the boots on for Souths women’s team this year, with their five and two-year-old children on the sidelines.

“We’ve moved our whole family into Souths, and it’s been good. It’s a really good family environment so it’s actually quite nice for us. ”

IMAGE: KEV NAGLE / SOUTHS MAGPIES