After the match he praised the Cheetahs and the intensity with which they played, adding: "We should thank them for giving us an oldfashioned hiding." Jones was grateful as the Cheetahs had showed the standard required for "this was close to Test rugby".

The Samoans are on a five-match tour but without their professional players - those who play in Europe or are in Super 14 franchises. The purpose of the tour with amateur players "from clubs and villages", according to Jones, was to broaden the base of Samoan rugby.

Jones said: "We cannot touch the professional players till May. It is the honourable thing to give opportunities to players from the Islands and to grow the talent there."

Asked if he thought that any of the touring team would make the Samoan squad for the World Cup, Jones said: "Before today I would have said that there were several but now I am not sure. These young men are going to have to grow up quickly.

"We will have a good side at the World Cup but there are growing pains in getting the side together."

Samoa have played three matches on their tour. They beat a Pumas-Lions XV in White River and then lost to the Blue Bulls in Polokwane.

Now they play the Reds on Queensland's Gold Coast and then the Western Force in Perth.