Halloween has passed but the sight of the topless chiropractor must have sent a wave of fear gushing through the Irish ranks.
Brian Lima adopted a Michael Myers death stare as he led the Siva Tau – Samoa's pre-game war dance – as a tribute to the recently passed Peter Fatialofa.
"They played together in world cups," explained Samoan captain Kahn Fotuali'i. "It was just fitting to let Brian lead the Siva Tau."
It was odd to see the retired and most ferocious tackler the game has ever seen back on the field staring Ireland down. He is on tour as defensive coach, naturally.
Munster connection
Lima is known in Irish rugby circles for his all too brief, injury-disrupted season with Munster.
However, while the challenge revved up the tourists for about 10 minutes, the scrum malaise seemed to snap Samoa’s energy reserves.
“When we found out about Peter’s passing, that brought a bit of fire but we left it on the training paddock,” Fotuali’i continued.
“That was not the way we want to portray our team. Urgency was a key word. And it just wasn’t there.
“It is frustrating after such a special moment of Brian leading our Siva Tau and the passing of Peter.”
Fatialofa and Lima were both on the field for what remains Samoa’s most famous scalp, beating Wales in Cardiff at the 1991 world cup.
"Hopefully the IRB sees the best way for us to get better is to play the tier one nations." And not the French Barbarians and Georgia.
Head clash
Of the many stoppages – the game lasted almost two hours – the most worrying was the head clash of Tusi Pisi, who suffered concussion, and Brando Vaaulu, who departed with a "severe gash over his eye."
Pisi will be monitored as Samoa head down to Clermont Ferrand to face a cobbled together Barbarians side next Saturday.
Forgetting New Zealand we asked Samoan coach Steven Betham to gauge Ireland's chances against Australia this coming weekend.
“I think from rank third to eight or 10 anyone can beat anyone on the day,” said Betham. “It’s just about showing up on the day. But I think one [New Zealand] and two [South Africa] are far ahead of everyone else.”
