Samoa made sure their Rugby World Cup are on track at Eden Park on Saturday, defeating the NZ Heartland XV 36-19.
Played in front of a small crowd, the Samoan team had a bit more polish to them than the makeshift Heartland team had, and it was obviously tough to get their combinations going against a Samoan team that had spent the past six weeks together.
However, the amateur players were able to put pressure on their more experienced opponents and all of the Heartland team will be able to take memories from this experience back to their provinces.
It didn't take long for Samoa to get going, with prop Michael Alaalatoa, who play his club rugby for the Crusaders, scored a try on debut in the fifth minute, finishing off a sustained period of pressure by his team.
In the 14th minute the Heartland team struck back, Harry Lafituanai from Thames Valley picked up a loose ball and with a pass inside halfback William Wright from South Canterbury was in for the try.
But three minutes later Samoa had their next try when winger Ahsee Tuala took a pass out to the right and skated down the line to score.
The former Counties Manukau star had his second try, in the 26th minute, but four minutes before the break Heartland XV second-five Sione Holani ran a nice angle to cut inside to score for his team.
Two minutes into the second half Kane Leaupepe was the one with the ball as Samoa drove from a line out in a mass maul for Samoa's next try.
But the scores kept coming, with Willie Paiaaua racing down the wing for the next NZ Heartland try. James Lash missed the conversion, so Samoa led 22-19.
Alaalatoa had his second try of the day in the 54th minute, while the final five pointer went the way of Rey Lee-Lo in the last minute.
Despite the defeat, NZ Heartland XV coach Mark Rutene says this was an experience that all of his players will cherish.
"They loved it," he said.
"To get on Eden Park and to play an international team. A month ago these guys were playing club rugby in rural areas. So to go from that up to this level has been a fantastic experience."
Rutene says the difference between the two teams was the extra time Samoa had spent together.
"To come from a week's training and go up against Manu Samoa, I'm rapt with how they did today," he said.
"They (Samoa) have been together longer, they're bigger. We spent a lot of time on defence, didn't get a lot of ball, but we tackled our hearts out."
The NZ Heartland XV team will next play against NZ Marist in Te Aroha at the end of the Heartland Championship. They then go to Fiji for two games against a Fiji selection team.
AT A GLANCE
NZ Heartland XV 19 (William Wright, Sione Holani, Willie Paiaaua tries; James Lash 2 cons). Samoa 36 (Michael Alaalatoa 2 , Ahsee Tuala, Kane Leaupepe 2, Rey Lee-lo tries; Tusi Pisi 3 cons). HT: 14-15