Why Itoje soars above the rest

Maro Itoje introduced himself to New Zealand five years before took the All Blacks pack apart in the Rugby World Cup semifinal in Japan in 2019.

Itoje captained the England under-20s side to victory in the 2014 world championship held in New Zealand, beating South Africa in the final.

Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga were part of the baby All Blacks side that lost to South Africa in the semifinal that year, but it has been Itoje who has kicked on to become a dominant presence on the world stage at senior level.

An intelligent man known to dabble in poetry, Itoje is a ferocious competitor with the ability to play lock or No 6 and is guaranteed to feature when the British and Irish Lions take on the Springboks this year.

Itoje’s lineout work is superb, but he really distinguishes himself around the park. He has a relentless appetite for defence, and is the best lock in the world at the breakdown, where his ability to get over the ball at ruck time has frustrated many an attacking team.

His habit of celebrating turnovers and penalties with a roar into the sky has become a trademark, a rallying cry to team-mates they frequently respond to.

Although he didn’t enjoy the finest Six Nations as Eddie Jones’ side struggled – somewhat in a transition period – England’s finest performances in recent years have had Itoje at their heart. He was a central figure as England beat Australia 3-0 in their 2016 series across the ditch, playing the full 80 minutes in all three tests (the only forward on either side to do so).

That required a level of fitness comparable to Brodie Retallick’s huge engine, and Itoje’s capacity to go the distance has allowed Jones to build his England pack around the Saracens player.

On the Lions’ 2017 tour of New Zealand, Itoje started the first test on the bench – and it was won handsomely by the All Blacks. For the second and third tests, Itoje was restored to the starting lineup and played 80 minutes in both as the Lions fought back to draw the series.

Indeed, his lack of fear for the All Blacks is one of the features that makes him such a formidable opponent for the men in black.

Both eloquent and formidable, Itoje is a worthy No 1 in Stuff’s list of world rugby’s most influential players.