The Samoa A coach Potu Leavasa believes his team will be contenders for the Pacific Rugby Cup title, despite a difficult pre-season.
The Samoans conceded 123 points in two heavy defeats against the Western Force and Force development teams over the past fortnight.
Potu Leavasa says a late arrival before their game was a factor in the first defeat while there were improvements shown in the second game, with the visitors managing to score two tries.
Samoa's first game is against New South Wales this Friday in Sydney and Potu Leavasa is setting big goals.
"It's not only for the development of our local players - also we need to also win the PRC tournament. Samoa have been in this PRC tournament for about four years now so the thing is not only to develop our young players, also we need to win the PRC, that's our aim".
Fiji Warriors are the defending PRC champs and begin their title defence on Sunday against the Reds A team.
