Brian Lima

As of May 16, 2008

Brian Lima ( born January 25, 1972 in Apia ) is a former Samoan rugby union player. He played on the position wings and full in the later stages of his career as an internal three-quarters. Due to his hard tackles he is called "The Chiropractor ". He is considered the best Samoan player of all time and is the only player who has participated in five world championships.

Career

Lima gave his debut for Samoa in 1990 and was part of the team that could beat the favorite Welsh at the World Championships in 1991. In this discharge Lima was the youngest player of the tournament.

His most impressive performance was Lima follow in the preliminary round of the 2003 World Cup against the South African Springboks. When the South African connector Derick Hougaard caught a pass and tried to control the ball, Lima tackelte him so hard and accurate, that this indeed was able to get up again less than a one-minute rest period and was able to continue, but for the next few minutes, made ​​a very battered impression and only slowly into place again in his game.

Following the World Cup, he moved to Japan. After a charity match for the victims of the tsunami in 2004 and two inserts for the selected team, Pacific Islanders, he went to Munster in the Celtic League. However, due to injuries, he came to no single application and tried his luck in Bristol, where he also finished his club career. Previously, he had played among others in New Zealand for the Blues and the Highlanders, and in France for Stade Français. With the Blues him the title succeeded in the Super 12, with Stade Français, the French and the Swansea RFC Welsh title.

Prior to the 2007 World Cup Lima announced that he would end his career after the tournament. His last international match for Samoa, he played against England in the first round, was eliminated as a group fourth in Samoa.