Samoa's 25-year-old basketball star, Theodore McFarland, has signed with new American Major League Rugby team, Dallas Jackals. 

Dallas Jackals announced the signing of their second lock on Tuesday. 

Standing at 6 foot and 6 inches and weighing 250 lbs, he is confirmed to add a considerable lineout presence for the club.

Growing up in Moamoa, he excelled in basketball and only later began playing rugby while at the Pesega Church College.

He later played club rugby for the Moamoa Rugby Club in Samoa before travelling to Victoria, Australia for the Dewar Shield rugby union competition from 2016 through to 2018.

In 2018 he returned and played with the Savai’i Vikings, competing in the Super 9 competition in 2018 and 2019.

Between 2018 and 2020, McFarland represented Samoa in multiple international tournaments. The team advanced to the final of the FIBA Polynesian Cup in 2018. Playing at the centre, he was also a key player in Samoa's national team at the XVI 2019 Pacific Games in Apia.

Mc Farland also played rugby for Manuma Samoa in the Global Rapid Rugby international rugby union competition. The team was unable to return home for over 100 days due to COVID-19 restrictions, quarantines, and the closing of borders.

Speaking to the Dallas Jackals, McFarland said he is excited to be part of his new club.

“I look forward to working with the Ireland legend, coach Allen Clarke, and coach Elaine Vassie at sharpening my skills,” he said. “I’m also excited to meet my new teammates and build relationships with them on and off the field.”

The Dallas Jackals are set to enter the league in the 2021 season as an expansion franchise. The team is owned by an investment group including Neil Leibman and Donnie Nelson and will be based in Dallas, Texas.