Theo McFarland, the captain of Manu Samoa, expressed his honor at leading his team in the Pacific Nations Cup opener against the Flying Fijians at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. In an interview with SUNsports after a team rugby session, the 28-year-old lock from Saracens acknowledged the significant challenge ahead but also welcomed the opportunity.
McFarland noted that he plays alongside Flying Fijians prop Eroni Mawi, who is among the reserves. He highlighted the strength of the Fijian team, remarking, “The Flying Fijians are a very good side.” While Samoa has a relatively young team, McFarland emphasized their focus on defense as they prepare to face Fiji, identifying potential areas to exploit against their opponents.
Samoa’s head coach, Mahoni Schwalger, described McFarland as a young captain who will face a significant test in his leadership during the match. He commended McFarland’s performance, stating, “He is doing really well. Theo is handling the captaincy really well, giving pointers and leading his pack.”