Australia's last defeat at a World Cup was against New Zealand in the 2008 final.
Children had asked him to do a backflip if he scored a try. He lost his boot during the flip, and television commentators fretted that he had injured himself as he sat down to put it back on.
The request was hard to oppose when he was putting a smile on children's faces. Australia coach Walters was less troubled by the theatre than by what came with it.
Two tries in the second half kept a growing Samoan comeback at bay. His first-half score had already shown the skill and showmanship that marked his night.
The display followed a long layoff. In the run-up to the World Cup, Walsh had not played for eight weeks because of an ankle injury.
One lapse carried a price. Walsh dropped a bomb, and Crichton scored from it in the second half. Walsh then had to respond.
He answered quickly after both of Samoa's tries, holding the challengers at arm's length.
On 32 minutes he punished the slightest defensive lapse, racing through the tiniest gap on the left to score.
More concerning for Walters were the mistakes Walsh made as he was swept up in the feverish atmosphere. Asked about the errors, Walters repeated:"That's Reece."."That's just Reece,"Walters told the post-match media conference."He always brings up something you don't expect.".