Head of the pride
If anyone can lead the British and Irish Lions to victory in Australia, it’s Maro Itoje, says Simon Barnes
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
- Simon Barnes
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It’s a concept that might seem unusual in today’s era of brutal professional rugby, but back in the 19th century, the idea of bringing together a bunch of players from opposing teams and forming a cohesive group, then pitting them against some of the best and most established teams in the world – on their home turf – seemed rather romantic.
That is exactly how a Lions tour was envisaged, and how it still works (more or less) today. Curiously, the first British Lions (the “Irish” was added, somewhat tardily, to the name in 2001) were created by three former cricketers – Alfred Shaw, Arthur Shrewsbury and James Lillywhite – and while they failed to initially get the sanction of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), an 1888 tour pressed ahead nonetheless, heading off to Australia and New Zealand for a staggering 249 days.
Off the back of its relative success (they won 27 out of 35 games), the RFU came round and the first official test tour visited South Africa three years later. Teams made up from English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish players have been touring the southern hemisphere ever since.
And that romantic ethos – of enemies sinking their differences in pursuit of a near impossible goal, a glorification of camaraderie and futile heroism – prevails despite the advent of the more pragmatic professional game in 1995. Traditions survive and every now and then the Lions actually win.
Maro Itoje has a solid Lions pedigree. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Indeed, the Lions have won one series in 12 trips to New Zealand, though there was a heroic tie – one win, one loss, one draw – in 2017, when a promising youngster called Maro Itoje caught the eye. The Lions have won four times in 14 tours of South Africa, though the last series was only lost by a penalty two minutes from time in the decider and Itoje was again outstanding.
Bundee Aki and Finn Russell for the Lions. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
In 2025, the Lions have a better than usual chance despite the fact they lost their warm-up fixture to Argentina in Dublin. Their opponents are Australia. And while no one underestimates the pleasure Aussies take in beating any team with a few Poms in it, Australia are simply not the hottest rugby team on the planet right now.
In fact they’re eighth. Of the four home nations, only Wales is ranked lower (14th). While the Lions’ Argentinian defeat can be written off as one of those bumps in the road that scratch teams are prone to, Australia’s warm-up against Fiji exposed much deeper problems, despite their last-gasp win.
Itoje's face compels referees to give his side marginal calls
The Lions began their time in Australia by racking up consecutive 50-point scores, but hit another bump in the road against the New South Wales Waratahs. They won, but, well, bumpily. But logic – only occasionally a relevant factor in sport – suggests the Lions should win the international matches. And this time Itoje is the captain. Even if he does no more than give the opposing captain Harry Wilson a hard Paddington Bear stare at the toss he will have done a fine job.
That’s not just because he stands 6ft 6in and weighs a good 17 stone. It’s the impassive power of his face. It’s a face that compels referees to give his side the marginal calls; it would be disrespectful not to.
Itoje is English of Nigerian heritage. “I believe human beings are multi-faceted. We are not a monolith,” he has said. “I am a rugby player, I am an athlete, but this is what I do, not who I am. I have other interests.” Some athletes find their fulfilment in the narrowness of their focus; Itoje is the opposite.
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The Lions’ captain must be a unifier: someone who can get a bunch of enemies playing together as comrades. Eddie Jones, England’s former head coach – and an Australian – once said that Itoje was “too inward-looking” for such a role. It’s likely that this will be just one more thing that Eddie got wrong.
Authors
Simon BarnesAuthor and journalist
Simon Barnes is a sports and wildlife writer, and is the author of a number of books including the recently published The Green Planet
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