Maro Itoje will urge his fellow Lions to take their shot at history on Saturday, before ceasing to exist as an entity. That is part of the magic. They are striving to maximise a fleeting window in time together.
The message from the captain to his British and Irish band of brothers is to seize their moment before it all ends in a hurry. The representatives of four rival countries will soon revert to manning the barricades and smashing lumps out of each other again, but for now, one last time, they are unified by a common goal. It is part of what makes the Lions such a unique sporting concept.
So, Itoje will demand that the men around him commit body and soul to this; their own Last Dance. They have become friends and forged bonds in pursuit of a cause on the other side of the world. The skipper’s last call to arms will involve imploring these 2025 Lions to ensure that their crusade resonates for eternity, by completing a 3-0 series whitewash of the Wallabies – and a tour return of nine wins from nine matches.
The 30-year-old Saracens and England lock recognises that he is a figurehead for a group of players who are engaged in a highly unusual mission. ‘It is different,’ he said. ‘It happens once every four years. You only have one shot at it. The next tour is never guaranteed. There’s a rarity to it. If you miss one, you may never have another opportunity to do it.
‘It has been said before, but in many ways, it (Lions) shouldn’t really work. You have four different nations; four different ideologies; several different ways of how to play the game and how to think. It is not a homogenous group at all, but people buy in and you build bonds. That’s what makes it special. There’s a recognition as well that you’re with very, very talented players across the board. To gain the respect of quality players and to respect your fellow quality players is special.’
That has been a recurring theme for Itoje during this six-week odyssey Down Under. He has spoken about the sense of being surrounded by greatness. It was fascinating to hear how he addressed this Lions squad about the fact that they are all used to being ‘the man’ in other teams they play for, but that they needed to park the ego and a sense of status, because all the others in the squad are used to being up on pedestals too.
Maro Itoje is one game away from greatness with the British & Irish Lions in Australia
Victory in Saturday on Saturday would see Andy Farrell’s side walk away with a clean sweep down under
Itoje recognises that being in this environment means being among an ultra-elite. He has tailored his leadership style to being part of such exalted company. ‘What I’ve been conscious of is it’s a higher level of player here,’ he said. ‘So, you don’t try to treat certain players of a certain level and calibre the same way that you would if it was a much younger or inexperienced group.’
This year’s Lion king is following in the footsteps of giants. On Saturday, whatever the outcome in the last Test against Australia, Itoje will raise a trophy in what is now called Accor Stadium, to celebrate the series triumph. He will do so in almost the same spot that the great Martin Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis Cup to signify England’s World Cup triumph in 2003.
Itoje is on a similar path to the legendary Lion and Tiger, by leading the famous four-nation alliance to a series win, as Johnson did in South Africa in 1997. He had already conquered Europe multiple times with his club, Saracens, as Johnson did with Leicester. He has been involved in Grand Slam glory and success in the southern hemisphere, as Johnson was in his and England’s pomp.
What has happened here has filled a gap in a gold-plated CV. ‘Being a Lion in itself is a humongous achievement, but you want to be part of a series-winning side,’ he said.
‘Speaking to some of the guys from 2013 and some of the golden oldies from 1997, they have such fond memories. Some have fond memories of 2001, maybe not so much 2005, but 1997 seems to be the one that they truly appreciate and love. Of course you want to be a winning Lion. You want to be part of that esteemed group.’
Where to from here? Itoje has elevated himself to the oval-ball pantheon, but there is more which can be achieved. If his career keeps following a golden script, it will involve a return to Saturday’s grand venue in the autumn of 2027, as captain of England.
The next World Cup is in Australia. Johnson was 33 when he held the Webb Ellis Cup aloft. Itoje will have just turned 33 by the time the next global showpiece reaches a climax in this city. Given the assured way he has handled Test captaincy, first with England and then with the Lions, maybe he can follow the giant’s footsteps all the way to a defining pinnacle.
He certainly hasn’t been fazed by the responsibility; first with Saracens, then with his national team and most recently here. ‘I definitely feel like I was ready to do the job when I was asked to,’ he said. ‘I didn’t feel like it was a step too far for me or it was going to be something I wasn’t able to do. When I’ve got all the posts I’ve had within the last year or so, I’ve felt that I was ready to do them and everything that came before them felt like preparation to do it.’
Itoje admitted he has been forced to tailor his leadership style to suit such an experienced group
The focus for the 30-year-old remains leading this team over the final hurdle in order to make history
After the Lions snatched a series-sealing 29-26 win in Melbourne last weekend, Itoje did a high-fiving lap of the stadium, to savour the acclaim of the travelling supporters. He had already led them on a chant of ‘Lions, Lions, Lions’ during his post-match interview, over the tannoy. Public speaking comes naturally to him, as he proved in front of the Prime Minister at Downing Street in April.
Itoje is already mixing in influential circles. In the aftermath of last weekend’s dramatic success, he received a message from the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. ‘I have a bit of a relationship with him,’ he said. ‘I think he may have been at the game, he had some work in Melbourne last week.’
What may set Itoje apart from Johnson is what he does when he stops playing. Many doors are sure to open. He has a wide array of interests, including politics. When people suggest he could become Prime Minister himself one day, they are only half joking. This is a man of presence and gravitas and considerable intelligence.
But for now, he only has his eyes on one prize. Complete the mission. Beat the Wallabies once more. Earn that 3-0 whitewash to make history. Then cease to exist, knowing they will be remembered for eternity, for seizing their fleeting moment and making it count.
