Maro Itoje is enduring a tough month with England, but that doesn’t mean he is seeking an escape from the pressure and scrutiny that go with being one of the nation’s leading men.
The Saracens lock, who turned 30 last month, has fronted up in every post-match inquest, after the Autumn Nations Series defeats by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
As senior vice-captain, he has assumed on-field command when Jamie George has been replaced in the third quarter of each match, meaning Itoje has been at the helm for some key periods in which England have fallen to agonising defeats.
He was acting as skipper when George Ford‘s late penalty and drop-goal shots were just off target against New Zealand.
He was acting as skipper when Australia shattered English hopes with an 80th-minute match-winning try which stemmed from Itoje’s restart spill. And he was acting skipper when South Africa repelled the home side’s last-quarter onslaught on Saturday, consigning England to a fifth straight Test loss.
Itoje’s decision-making and discipline have been forensically and critically analysed, which has added to the personal burden. But he has shown dignified authority in the way he has fronted up to tough questions, and a couple more came his way after the Springboks setback.
Maro Itoje insists playing for England is ‘the Mecca’ despite breakaway league plans
Itoje has endured a tough month with his country but is not seeking an escape from scrutiny
As a board member of the new Team England Rugby management company, which looks after the interests of those in the national squad, Itoje has a key role in collective contractual arrangements. So, what is his take on the news that leading players worldwide are being targeted for lucrative deals to join a breakaway league?
‘The first time I heard of it was when it broke,’ he said. ‘We’ll wait and see.’
It is already clear that the RFU will stand firm in refusing to allow any players who leave the Premiership to represent their country and on that key issue, Itoje added pointedly: ‘Playing for England is the Mecca.
‘I don’t really know any of the details of it (rebel league) yet, but wearing this rose is extremely important to me and my team-mates.’
There was no doubting the thrust of the message. No thanks. Any new venture which would impact on Itoje’s England career would just have to go ahead without him.
That is likely to be the view of many players in the prime of their Test careers, despite reports that the huge sums on offer are already turning the heads of some big names.
Steve Borthwick’s second in command in the second row is regarded as the front-runner to succeed George as national captain in the not-too-distant future, and he is also seen as a possible Lions captain.
So, in this difficult period on England duty, Itoje is willing to dig in and demonstrate his resilience, rather than jumping ship to join what has been described as a ‘travelling circus’.
Itoje has been at the helm for key periods in which England have fallen to agonising defeats
But he is regarded as the front-runner to succeed Jamie George (right) as national captain
Once South Africa had closed out a 29-20 win at Twickenham, there was a lot of focus on Itoje’s decision to keep going for the corner from attacking penalties, rather than opting for shots at goal to chip away at the deficit.
Addressing that, he said: ‘With all these decisions, hindsight is 20-20. At the time, and even on reflection, I still think it was a good decision. But that decision is dependent on us executing. As players, we need to be better.’
At least England have narrowly avoided falling further down the global rankings on the back of their latest defeat. They remain seventh, but face dropping to eighth if resurgent Australia beat Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday. Wales stay 11th, just ahead of Georgia, after being routed 52-20 by the Wallabies.
Meanwhile, England’s rookie wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is among the nominees for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
South Africans dominate the Player of the Year award shortlist, with Bok trio Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit joined by Ireland captain Caelan Doris the four nominees.
