Manu Samoa’s captain Theo McFarland expressed his pride in leading his team against the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup opener at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. In an interview with SUNsports, the 28-year-old lock from Saracens acknowledged the significant challenge ahead but also valued the chance to represent his country.
McFarland will be competing against his teammate Eroni Mawi, who is on the reserve bench for Fiji. He praised the Flying Fijians’ skill, recognizing them as a formidable opponent. “We are a young side, but we will focus on our defense against Fiji and identify areas to exploit against our Fijian brothers,” he stated.
Samoa’s head coach Mahoni Schwalger described McFarland as a young captain facing a crucial test in leading his team during this match. He noted, “Theo is managing the captaincy well, providing guidance and effectively leading his pack.”