Itoje earns his stripes, now for one final push

THERE had been a few warm-up renditions already, so when The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army was played over the stadium speakers midway through the first half, the England fans present knew exactly what to do.

‘Oh, Maro Itoje’ they chanted over and over again. It was a raucous tribute to the versatile Saracens lock who was bestriding another grand occasion. It felt like Wellington in 2017 when the Lions condemned the All Blacks to their first home Test defeat in eight years and the same song had drawn the same response.

This time it was a different shirt, different team, different city, but similar acclaim for similarly impressive feats. Itoje was outstanding for the Lions and here he was outstanding for England. Again.

Itoje had warned the All Blacks that there was trouble coming. Speaking two days before this astonishing World Cup semifinal, the 24-year-old had conveyed a mood of calm confidence. His relaxed body language somehow jarred with his statement of intent.

When asked what his Lions experience had taught him, he said: ‘I learned a lot about New Zealand, their culture, how they play the game, how good and clinical they are — and how to get them.

‘This weekend feels like the time we’re going to get them. I believe that if we play our best rugby, we will win.’

He backed up his words. Man of the match Itoje delivered an epic performance in both attack and defence. He was a dominant figure in the dominant side. Since his rise to international prominence there have often been comparisons with Brodie Retallick — the leading Kiwi second row — but in this match he eclipsed his rival.

With George Kruis starting among the replacements, Itoje was charged with running the lineout. There was so much scrutiny on that area as the All Blacks had picked lock Scott Barrett at blindside flanker to ensure they had multiple jumping options. They hoped to overwhelm Eddie Jones’ side in that aerial contest but that ambition went up in smoke.

First Courtney Lawes and then Itoje stole All Black throws. Later, Kieran Read pinched one but by then it was obvious that Steve Hansen’s selection strategy backfired. The arrival of specialist flanker Sam Cane at half-time was an admission that the ploy had failed.

Itoje was everywhere. He made his presence felt as a ball-carrier and he was also an asset at the breakdown, disrupting the All Blacks and winning three turnovers. He joined Tom Curry and Sam Underhill in leading a ruck rout. Itoje made several powerful tackles, with one especially eye-catching hit on second row Sam Whitelock.

As is the hallmark of the very best, Itoje adapted to the flow of the match. Time and again, when the ball went loose, he was on hand to seize it, or if a team-mate found space, he was up in support.

Itoje is a player who enjoys antagonising opponents but he wasn’t in wind-up mode. He was focused on maintaining his relentless efforts.

Afterwards, he said: ‘I enjoyed myself. As always, there are things I can be better at. I think I can be more engaged in the game.’

That final point was a case of modesty defying so much glaring evidence.

Now Itoje can look ahead to being involved in a World Cup final and he added: ‘We’ll take it day by day. We won’t do anything different. We’ll be super prepared. We’ll make sure our training is good and make sure we have the right attitude. We’ll build and build towards the final.’

There have already been so many titles and peaks with club and country but the greatest of all now lies just one game away. If England complete their quest, Itoje is likely to emerge as the poster boy — just as Jonny Wilkinson was in 2003.