Manu Samoa captain Theo McFarland expressed his pride in leading his team against the Flying Fijians in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. In a recent interview with SUNsports, the 28-year-old lock, who plays for Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership, acknowledged the significant challenges ahead while valuing the opportunity to captain his country.
McFarland highlighted the strength of the Flying Fijians, stating, “The Flying Fijians are a very good side.” He noted that Samoa is a young team, emphasizing the need to focus on defense in preparation for the match against Fiji. The captain mentioned the team’s plans to identify weaknesses in their opponents that they could capitalize on during the game.
Samoa’s head coach, Mahoni Schwalger, praised McFarland as a capable young captain, mentioning that he faces a considerable challenge in leading his team. Schwalger noted, “He is doing really well. Theo is handling the captaincy really well, giving pointers and leading his pack.”