AUCKLAND — Maro Itoje is finishing the season like a train when he should be running out of steam according to player welfare regulations as England head to Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Itoje went over the 2,400 minutes season playing limit during last weekend’s 16-15 defeat to the All Blacks in Dunedin, which drew criticism from Progressive Rugby, the welfare group.
Head coach Steve Borthwick was picked up on this ahead of the tour to Japan and New Zealand but said Itoje was being well managed by England and Saracens and he would get 10 weeks off as soon as he lands back home.
Itoje cannot have the day off on Saturday at a venue where New Zealand have not lost for 30 years. England, and Borthwick, need him to play big as the coach likes to say. Last weekend he was their standout performer, he knows how to play in big games against the Kiwis and he knows how to win.
The 29-year-old will win his 84th cap for his country, at Eden Park, the same mark that Martin Johnson attained. Johnson, a World Cup-winning captain and double British & Irish Lions skipper, is still the benchmark for leadership, as well as the greatest England lock, but Itoje is getting there.
Eddie Jones did not rate Itoje as a leader having spent most of his time as England head coach claiming he was trying to turn the Saracen from a Vauxhall Viva into a BMW. Itoje, in his earlier career, was always given the “FEC” Michael Atherton tag, meaning future England captain, but it has never transpired. However, his leadership is growing, and his deeds on the field are back to their monstrous best after an illness and injury-induced dip.
He is England’s key player this weekend as he was last week when he disrupted the New Zealand line-out, messed up their mauls with this octopus-like limbs, won a couple of turnovers and smashed the hosts back in the contact area. A thoroughly uncomfortable bloke to play rugby against all round as some of the All Blacks acknowledged after the Dunedin match. It was no surprise to them though, Itoje hit the headlines down here with his displays for the Lions in their drawn series in 2017, and they knew what was coming.
Itoje is one of three vice-captains, behind Jamie George, alongside Henry Slade and Ben Earl for the clash. He must go to the well again, as a player, but also as a support for his great mate George as England try to rewrite history.
New Zealand have not been beaten at Eden Park since France did the trick in 1994 but Itoje is the man for the big occasion. And at the end of a 13-month season, the second row is ready to step up.
“When you play in New Zealand, you have to be at your best,” he said. “If you’re not your best, you don’t really have a chance of coming to the party. These are the kinds of games I relish. These are the games where you know, if you put your best foot forward, it is the biggest stage. They are the type of atmosphere and occasions I’m drawn to.”
Despite Jones’ misgivings, Itoje has been a background leader in the side for a long time, eased into the captaincy when George went off after 54 minutes last Saturday.
His whooping and hollering style, celebrating little wins like free-kicks and knock-ons might stick in the craw with opponents but most of them would like him in their engine room.
George said: “He’s been an incredible leader for a long time.
“He runs our line-out, he’s very vocal and his understanding of how we want to play and why we want to do what we do is exemplary. The way he delivers messages has been amazing throughout. He’s been there and done it, he’s got experience of knowing it’s okay to feel a little bit sore on a Sunday or a Monday but to make sure we make the most out of any time we get on the grass.
“He’s certainly one of the people that sets the standard in training. I thought Saturday was one of his best games for England – and that’s saying something because he’s had quite a few.”
Itoje has to get out of the blocks one more time, then he can head to the beach and put his feet up. But there was no sign of him doing it last week as he addressed the squad in Dunedin.
Borthwick said: “He spoke on the pitch and in the changing room after the game about what we wanted to achieve this week.
“So, within 20 minutes of the final whistle, he’s given a message of what we want to achieve this week, he was excellent and has been excellent every day.”
Whatever the minutes on the clock say, Itoje is not ready pull into the station just yet.