New Zealand remain unbeaten here in Samoa and with a game in hand, have already confirmed their place in the semi-finals.
While the job is being done on the field, it’s also been a great experience off the pitch for McGarry.
“It’s awesome over here, especially in Samoa. It’s a different kind of culture but it’s awesome, it’s been really good,”
With the temperature hitting the high 30s most days, McGarry was worried the heat would play a major part in how he and his teammates performed.
“I came into it thinking the heat will probably get to us but you’ve kind of got to put that into the back of your mind and just work through it.
“Then as soon as you work through it, you start enjoying yourself and scoring goals, and the team’s scoring goals so it’s really good.”
Not having played in such hot conditions is hard and even having the mental capacity to push it from the forefront of your mind when playing can’t be easy but McGarry believes that having a firm focus on the objective helps.
“I think that’s what our first three, four days here was for. We didn’t really do much, just a light training session and that was to get us used to the humidity. It is quite hard but you’ve just got to push it to the back.
“We’re here for a reason, to win the tournament. So you’ve just got to focus on that.”
In terms of the team environment he says slowly but surely the bonds of the experience are taking hold.
“Everyone is enjoying being here together but I’m probably getting on best with Connor Probert and Logan Rogerson. We’re the front three, kind of in the same position and we’re getting to know each other a bit more.
“Previously to coming here we didn’t really know each other but we’ve come in here, same positions, and we want to do the same things so we start getting those friendships together and that also means we play a bit better together and come to know each other’s qualities.”
Does playing in similar roles lead to a bit of competitiveness? McGarry’s stance is they’re all in for the team…for the most part.
“I would say taht there is a wee bit, like there would be anywhere. But as I say we do it for the team. It’s more about the team effort than who scores more goals, but it is nice to score a few.”
Adding to the experience is having his father, former All White Michael McGarry, cheering him on with mum Robyn in the stands.
“He’s done the same thing and I just feel pretty blessed to be in the same situation and be with the U-17s,” he says.
“It’s pretty good to see him here, it’s pretty exciting.”
A member of the All Whites over an 11-year period, McGarry senior made 87 appearances for his country, and now couldn’t be prouder to see his son coming in behind him.
“It’s a thrill for us to come up and watch and we’re just hoping that things go well. We’re here to suport the team in whatever way we can so it’s going to be a lot of fun,” McGarry senior says.
“He’s with the Phoenix in Wellington at the moment with their Centre of Excellence so he’s been training and playing for the last three years really away from home.
“We don’t get to see a lot of him so it’s great that we can come up here and watch some of the games.”
Pulling on the shirt and playing for his country is a huge honour for James and he is relishing every minute.
“It’s an absolute honour, and with my dad having done it previouslt it’s just exciting really,” he says.
“You pull it on and you just want to do everything you can for your country, you want to play well and score goals, it’s just an honour.”
New Zealand will play their final match of the group stage against Cook Islands at 2pm (local) before heading on to Pago Pago, American Samoa for the semi-finals.