OH, Maro Itoje!
Gavin Mairs, Chief Rugby Correspondent of The Daily Telegraph, reports that while Maro Itoje stands on the verge of becoming the world’s greatest lock he says he is still constantly learning.
Such is his status on the world stage, it is remarkable to reflect that it is just over five years since Maro Itoje made his debut for England.
It was from the bench during England’s 40-9 victory over Italy in Rome in February 2016 that the Saracens forward received his first taste of international rugby, a powerful cameo at blindside flanker.
An injury to Joe Launchbury for the following Six Nations match against Ireland then opened the door of opportunity for Itoje to make his first start in the second row – and the then 21-year-old never looked back.
Comparisons were inevitably drawn with Itoje and England’s World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson, while Paul Gustard, then Jones’ defence coach, also likened him to former Ireland and Lions captain Paul O’Connell.
“He’s athletic, he’s mobile and he’s a modern-day forward who can play in the second row and back row at Test level,” said Gustard at the time of Itoje’s debut against Italy. “He brings a lot in terms of his defensive collision work as well as his breakdown and lineout work. The amount of turnovers he generates is huge.”
Eddie Jones, in his first season as England head coach, recognised his protégé’s potential, but felt it was critical to manage the expectations of the media and supporters alike.
It led to the memorable motoring analogy by Jones, who likened Itoje to a “Vauxhall Viva” car (Jones’ father had once owned one), with the overriding message that there was much work still to be done before the young forward could be compared to a premium badge vehicle.
“Maro is a young kid who has a good head on his shoulders,” Jones said at the time. “He’s got a lot of work to do, but he’s got potential.”
Later that year, Itoje was named World Rugby’s ‘breakthrough player of the year’. By the end of the following season, he was at the heart of the British & Irish Lions pack that secured a historic series draw with New Zealand, delivering a man-of-the-match display in the second Test victory in Wellington as the travelling support memorably sang ‘Oh Maro Itoje’ to the tune of Seven Army Nation by White Stripes.
With every new challenge, either for club or country, Itoje continuously raised the bar of his performances, reflected by the accolades and titles won, playing in a winning side for 26 out of 27 games for club and country two years after his debut against Italy.
Now 27, Itoje’s transformation into a global superstar appears complete.
Itoje’s profile has never been higher. Having signed last November for Roc Nation, the global entertainment and talent agency founded by American rapper Jay-Z, the latest evidence of his ability to transcend rugby union came last month when he was announced as partner with Marks and Spencer to promote their menswear collection.
Yet his off-field activities have extended far beyond commercial activity. Born in Camden to Nigerian parents, his rising fame has coincided with a sense of social responsibility, to use his profile to highlight causes close to his heart.
During the lockdown months last year, he also launched his own podcast, Pearl Conversations, where he interviewed leaders and ground-breakers from across society, from musicians and athletes to politicians and artists.
Itoje is also a patron for the Black Curriculum, an organisation which aims to provide a sense of belonging and identity to young people across the UK by teaching an accessible arts-focused black British history curriculum in schools and earlier this year presented an exhibition called A History Untold at the Signature African Art gallery in London.
Critically, none of these off-field interests have in any way diminished his commitment and growing influence on the pitch. He was one of the first names down on the Lions Test team for the tour of South Africa during the summer and now is in line to pass the 50-cap milestone for England.
He is the foundation stone on which Jones will construct his pack for the 2023 World Cup in France, where England will hope to go one better than their final defeat by South Africa in Japan.
And encouragingly for Jones, Itoje’s passion for learning is still burning bright. During the Lions tour of South Africa, he spoke of his game being “more wiser, rounded and nuanced” than when he broke into the England team, with a much greater focus on the “intricacies” of the game.
“Sometimes when you are young you play with a certain naivety, which isn’t always a bad thing,” said Itoje. “Now I understand the intricacies a lot better. But I like to think I am constantly learning and constantly picking things up.”
Perhaps his greatest strength, beyond his powerful athleticism and rugby prowess in the lineout and breakdown, is his ability to make decisive impacts at key moments in the heat of Test matches, the attribute of true greatness.
Ian Peel, who has worked closely with Itoje at England U20s and at Saracens, where he has been forwards coach since 2015, also provides a telling insight into his attributes as a leader.
“He is consistently one of the best players in games because he is consistently the best, or one of the best, trainers during the week,” said Peel.
“His prep before each session, to give him clarity around what he wants and what the team needs from each session, is outstanding. Then his energy and enthusiasm to drive it, with his actions and voice, inspire others.”
Jones may well have been right to keep a sense of perspective five years ago, and Itoje, now in the prime of his career, has already shown he has all the attributes and skill set to push on to become the greatest lock forward to have played the game.
