British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje says that he is now a better communicator and team-mate than when he toured New Zealand with the team as a “brash and naive” 22-year-old.
Itoje was the youngest player on the 2017 trip, but came into the team after the Lions had lost the opening Test to the All Blacks and helped his side salvage a series draw with two superb performances.
“I definitely think I’ve matured,” he told Rugby Union Weekly at the Lions squad announcement at the O2.
“I have a greater sense of who I am and what makes me thick and what I think is acceptable and what isn’t acceptable.
“I also think I’ve improved in the way I am able to communicate and relate to my team-mates. You understand things.
“When you are 21 or 22, you are a little bit brash and a bit naive. In many ways that can be a strength because you are fearless, so you just attack things.
“But now I’ve been around the block domestically and internationally and at Lions level so there’s a whole load of experiences that I can count on and rely on.”
Itoje revealed he had missed a Bible study class in a hasty rearrangement of his schedule after learning on Tuesday he would lead the 2025 Lions tour.
As well as appearing at a live squad announcement event at the O2 in London on Thursday, he had dinner with a group of former Lions captains on Wednesday evening.
“I had to ask the lord for forgiveness for missing a session!” he joked.
“To be at a dinner with some of the true icons of the game and be able to break bread, talk and listen to their stories and their experiences was special.
“I was fortunate enough to sit next to Gavin Hastings and he was telling me that more people have been to the moon than captained the Lions.”
Itoje’s captaincy experience is all relatively recent.
It was only eight months ago that he was introduced to the media as the new Saracens captain at an event across London at Tower Bridge.
He then succeeded club team-mate Jamie George as England captain in January in a promotion that took many by surprise.
“I think God’s timing is always the best time. I’ve never felt more competent and more ready for the role as I do now,” he added.
—BBC
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