Bolt’s best wishes highlight how far Itoje has come...
EVEN at 26, Maro Itoje feels like a star who transcends his sport, writes Ben James.
The England lock is heading into the business end of his second Lions tour, having formed an integral part of his first in New Zealand four years ago.
Such is his sporting status, it’s little surprise when you hear whispers that icons such as Usain Bolt have sent good luck messages.
“Who told you that?” Itoje enquired coyly when asked about the fastest man in the world.
“I can neither confirm or deny that.”
Regardless of who is or isn’t wishing him the best, Itoje is the sort of player who truly feels like he belongs at this level – to the manor born and all that.
And whereas four years ago, he was a relative newcomer to this stage – the young pup to Alun Wyn Jones’ old dog – now he’s here with far more experience.
So does he feel like, ahead of potentially partnering Jones in Saturday’s first Test, he’s more of a wise head now?
“I wouldn’t get into the semantics of that, what I know is that this time around I am much more experienced,” he admits.
“First time around it was a whole new experience for me first time being a Lion, first time playing a Lions test series, first time being in the Lions environment.
Now I am a much more rounded player and I think I have a better understanding of the game and I probably have a bit more of an understanding about how I can influence the team in a positive way.
“I have a responsibility to try, depending on selection, to help the team go forward and I have a responsibility to try and energise the team.
“I probably know much more about my responsibility than I did four years ago.”
In fairness, were Itoje to partner Jones once again, few would be mistaking Itoje as the elder.
However, since marching back into camp after his Lazarus-style comeback, Jones has brought a new lease of life into the Lions touring party.
Full-back Stuart Hogg is one such figure delighted to see the captain on South African soil at last.
“I’ve got a lot of respect and admiration for Alun Wyn,” said the Scottish captain.
“We heard snippets that he was going to be back fit and potentially be involved but I didn’t believe it until he walked through the door.
“I was going for a Covid test and he and Ronan Kelleher popped up – the smile on my face was absolutely massive. He just has this big aura around him that I absolutely love.
“It just instils a huge amount of confidence to have a guy like that back in the squad.
“He’s taken a little bit of stick about the fact that he’s “Lazarus” and came back from absolutely nowhere, but to have a guy like that back in camp is absolutely tremendous.”
How is Itoje reacting to the welcome arrival of Jones?
Well, by the sounds of it, some may soon be mistaking the England star as the elder if the Welshman continues his remarkable feats of recovery.
“He looks like a 24-year-old,” jokes Itoje.
“I don’t know what recovery method he is using but somehow his hair is growing back on the top of his head as well.
“Whatever recovery he’s doing, I need to do it too. Luckily my hair is on point! But he is looking good.
“He is a man of a lot of experience, he is the tour captain and has that kind of presence about him.
“It is great to have him back, he was desperate to be back and desperate to do whatever he can to help make the tour successful.”
Having Jones back will make Itoje’s task of neutralising the Springboks pack that little bit easier – although it’s still no cakewalk just because the Ospreys man is now in Cape Town.
The task at hand is no great surprise, rather it’s the sheer relentlessness of it that can wear you down. Having already tasted Lions greatness, Itoje will hope that he can write some more in the coming weeks.
And, with some of his family watching in Nigeria, he might just push the Lions’ ethos out a little further beyond South Africa.
““Rugby is not really a thing in Nigeria,” he admits. “I would be surprised if there is any (support from there).
“My uncle actually texted me the other day, I am planning to go to Nigeria afterwards, and he said I should bring him a black Lions jersey, he said he likes that one.
“Ironically, the last time I was in Nigeria, in 2018, and as I was driving past I saw this little boy running on the road with a Lions training top on. I was like ‘where the hell did this boy get this from’.
“I am not too sure if he knows exactly what it is but at least the message is travelling.”