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The Saracens players in the England squad know there is big trouble coming on Saturday, in the form of Theo McFarland, their Samoan club-mate who has rapidly become ‘one of the best players in the world’.
Having feared that he would miss this World Cup after suffering a season-ending knee injury last December, the 27-year-old recovered in time to represent his Pacific-island nation in the global showpiece.
While successfully accelerating his rehab timetable, McFarland also enhanced his power and dexterity, in the gym and on the basketball court.
‘After my surgery, I was told it could take nine to 12 months to recover,’ he said.
‘I thought I would definitely miss out on the World Cup. But after three months, I had another appointment with the surgeon and he said I could get back earlier.
Grizzlies, and was encouraged to return to the court, to enhance his oval-ball skills and movement.
“Our medical team at Saracens are really good and they helped me get back so quick. They kept saying they’d never seen a faster healer!’
McFarland previously captained Samoa at basketball and dreamt of playing in America, until he was persuaded in 2019 to give rugby one last shot – by a national icon of the sport, Brian Lima.
But he still avidly watches NBA matches, as a fan of Memphis Grizzlies, and was encouraged to return to the court, to enhance his oval-ball skills and movement.
‘I was advised to stay out of contact until after six months, so I got to play a bit of basketball,’ he said.
‘Phil Morrow (Saracens’ former performance director, now general manager) told me that I couldn’t play rugby yet but I could do everything else, so I might as well play some basketball, to help me with my reactions and get my sharpness back. — Daily Mail
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
