Samo signs for Reds

Sydney - The Reds said on Monday they have signed former Wallaby forward Radike Samo as an injury replacement for captain and lock James Horwill for the remainder of the Super 14 season.

Fijian-born Samo, 33, who has been playing in Japan after a stint in France, made his Test debut for Australia in 2004 against Scotland while playing for the Brumbies and has played six internationals.

Coach Ewen McKenzie said the fourth-placed Reds had been talking to Samo since Horwill suffered his season-ending knee injury but family matters prevented him joining the team until now.

"We always knew we'd be walking a bit of a tightrope in the lock position until we found cover for James for the rest of the year and we'd been lucky so far not to get caught short," McKenzie said.

"But with Van Humphries also injured, Radike's arrival has come at the right time."

Humphries will miss Friday's home match against the Stormers with muscle and ligament ankle damage.