In April 2010, he returned from Japan to play for the Southern Districts Rebels in the Shute Shield competition, before joining the Queensland Reds on a short-term contract as cover for James Horwill. He started off slowly but after several games he was dubbed "outstanding" by Reds coach Ewen Mckenzie.[1] He continued with the Reds in 2011, playing in the team's Super Rugby final triumph on his 35th birthday. The following day it was announced he had been called up to the Wallabies 40-man squad for the Test against Samoa, and TriNations series against New Zealand and South Africa.[2]
He scored his first test try for the Wallabies during the final Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks in Brisbane on 27 August 2011.[3] This try was later selected as the IRPA Try of the Year 2011.[4]
At 35 years old, Samo is the oldest player to play for Australia in a Tri-Nations match.[5] He, unusually, played on the wing for the Wallabies 2011 Rugby World Cup match with Russia,[6] in place of the injured Drew Mitchell.[7]
It was announced on 16 January 2015 that he had signed with the Melbourne Rebels. In 2015, he played for Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby and Queensland Country in National Rugby Championship. In 2016, he played in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.
In 2017, he played for Brisbane City in National Rugby Championship.
Representative record
Super 12/14 debut: 2000 v Reds, Canberra
Test debut: 2004 v Scotland, Melbourne
Achievements
Won 2001 & 2004 Super 12 Championship with ACT Brumbies
Test Rugby Debut: 2004 v Scotland
2007 French Top 14 Champion with Stade Français[8]
Won 2011 Super 15 Championship with Queensland Reds
Recalled into 2011 Wallabies 40-man Tri-nations and Bledisloe Cup squad after a 7-year absence
Member of Wallabies 2011 Rugby World Cup squad
Won 3rd place with the Wallabies in the 2011 World Cup.
IRB try of the year award 2011
Recalled into the Wallabies 30-man squad for the 2012 Bledisloe Cup and inaugural rugby championship.
