I would go so far as to say he’s the best second rows in the world right now. If he’s not the best, he’s not far off it. His line out and rucking ability is irreplaceable and incredible. He’s a good ball carrier as well. As for captaincy and leadership skills idk. It’s hard to judge a player on those skills when you don’t play with them or know them personally. I can see him being a leader but like I said it’s hard to judge that without knowing those two things. Either way he’s a class player and one of the best second rows if not the best second row in the world.
Christian Smith valid point mate, he’s definitely the best in the northern hemisphere but he’s definitely one of the best second rows in world rugby. He’s in the same bracket as all those players listed above.
Coolprof 2.0 I agree that he’s the best in the northern hemisphere, he’s definitely in the same bracket as the others tho. All of those names are great players. Maybe in a few years Itoje could be better than them. Itoje definitely has great potential and if he continues to improve then I don’t see why he can’t be the best second rows in the world.
@@denisemccarthy5384 Agreed. I think he's had too much smoke blown up his rear end. He's a damn good player but as you say, he has respect and control issues.
He was a monster against the All Black's in the World Cup win. Certainly the star player in the team. He is certainly one of the most talented prospects on the planet. Could you tell I'm SA
IMO he’s the best player on the planet at the moment, just frustrating to play against. Needs some more experience as a captain if he will captain a lions team, also great video.
Captained Saracens to a Champions Cup over Racing, winning MoM in the final. Captained England to a Junior World Cup against a South Africa team with the likes of Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard and Duane Vermuelen. A 26 year-old World Cup Finalist with probably 50 England caps by the time of his second Lions tour, way more than Jonno. But Gatland will probably still wheel AWJ out because he won a Grand Slam once.
Apart from the time he captained Saracens to a Champions Cup over Racing, winning MoM in the final. Oh and the time he captained England to a Junior World Cup against a South Africa team with the likes of Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard and Duane Vermuelen. A 26 year-old World Cup Finalist with probably 50 England caps by the time of his second Lions tour. But apart from that...he's totally green. 😂
@@MrAddyG Eddie's aim in the last world cup cycle was to decentralise the leadership group. Captains, co-captains etc. We'll see where it goes in the next cycle. It was never an issue of maturity. Certainly not now at 26.
Nath 85 your not racist mate and the womble shouldn’t be so quick to jump on you and call you a racist there’s been far too much political correctness bullshit just recently it should be on ability not skin colour if they never have a black captain because they are not deemed good enough in their skill and abilities on and off the field (Captain Attributes) then so be it that’s not racist
He is highly skilled, a workhorse in terms of workrate and physical as heck. However I feel that this "thuggish"/immature behavior sometimes can cost him the captaincy. Unfortunately the captain I tend to think as someone that not only inspire their team, but also is respected or almost revered by the refs and I do not sense that in him. But I might be wrong. Perhaps (probably?) it is my side of seeing him as a player that I love to hate. I admire and hate him in equal parts probably
@@thewomble1509 he’s never showed any disrespect to any refs... Farrell can be a bit of an idiot in terms of knowing how to play it with referees. You don’t have any evidence of Maro doing this with refs so you point is moot.
I mean he captained England u20s to a world championship win against a South Africa team with Kriel and Pollard. He’s very animated on the pitch but in an interview he said that he’s a lot more calm off the pitch so I think he’d be a great captain but there are better options. Personally, I think he should be pack leader instead
Captaincy is not really about field play, especially at national/Lions levels. Will Carling was a very average 12 and a phenomenal national captain. Scott Gibbs was a phenomenal 12 and an unwilling national captain. Personally, I rate Itoje very highly, but I hope he will have been seen to demonstrate captaincy before he is handed it. Nice vid tho...
That last bit makes no bloody sense whatsoever! Apologies. I was implying I feel a Lions captain should have a seriously good track record at club and national level before sitting on the Lions Captain's cushion.
Captain of the future for sure - but too early at the moment IMO. He is an intelligent player, but can't see him commanding/leading/keeping his cool when it really counts - yet.
You act like he's not experienced! He's won a junior world cup as captain, 3 six nations, 3 European cups, 4 premiership titles, been European player of the year, and in terms of keeping his cool, he has got 1 yellow card in 39 England appearances. And he's 26 - he aint a kid anymore. I genuinely can't see at all where your problem lies? He is ridiculously over qualified for the job.
He may just be the best player available for the lions but he’s not even the second best leader in his club with Farrell and Barrit in the mix no where near lions captain yet
I agree he is a great player when he is winning but if his team goes behind I don't think he has the right mentality to lead a lions team against world cup winning team
Lol literally he captained his team in a MoM against racing in the championship and has lead England u20s to the championship so to say hes not mature is pretty dishonest there, even gatland has hinted at it, hes potentionally the 2nd best luck in the world or tied to 2nd
I love the video one of the few english players I like despite being a die hard ireland and leinster fan imagine him teaming up with James ryan the lions pack 1 cian healy 2 Ken owens 3 tadhg furlong 4 itoje 5 ryan 6 omahony 7 jamie rithchie 8 cj standet
I'd have Faletau at 8, and I would not be surprised to see AWJ if he is still fit. Curry and Underhill might have something to say about that pack as well, their work at the breakdown is immense
@@nick260682 yes i've seen him, but one thing is talking sitting on a show and another one being on the field, where i've seen him scream and jump like a 13yr girl.
Miguel Angel He never kicks off with the opponents though. It’s always positive emotion with his team mates, it’s a Sarries thing- think they call it celebrating small successes. It’s probably annoying to play against, but great to be on the same team.
Alun Wyn Jones but I suppose I’m a little biased in that opinion if Maro get it hope it’s because they take into account the fact he’s an amazing player and not the colour of his skin given what has gone on recently with all the political correctness shite and blm 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
@@nick260682 fair he’s not the worst but he isn’t exactly an angel either , he has a bad habit of either holding on to players defending beside rucks or late tackles . Decent video on it as an example I think it’s called “mark itoje king of shithousery” something along those lines. Fantastic player otherwise!
erik davila kenny So basically you’re saying he does what literally every forward has done at rucks for the last 100 years, but somehow Maro (aka Mark for you) is dirty. Behave.
@@nick260682 ah nick come on who else does it so cause we both know none of the Scots do nor the welsh nor the french or Irish or Italians or few of the Southern Hemisphere players so who is there that does it as consistently as he does? next you’ll tell me Owen Farrell knows how to tackle legally 😂 I’m not saying your precious Maro is a bad player because he’s not alright sweetheart? Don’t take it too much to heart bud , just a point in an other wise great player
erik davila kenny Yeah they all do it. But cos Maro is a superstar it gets highlighted occasionally. It’s not even dirty, as you claim it is. It’s annoying. But they all do it. If you say they don’t, I can only conclude you don’t watch any rugby.
I would go so far as to say he’s the best second rows in the world right now. If he’s not the best, he’s not far off it. His line out and rucking ability is irreplaceable and incredible. He’s a good ball carrier as well. As for captaincy and leadership skills idk. It’s hard to judge a player on those skills when you don’t play with them or know them personally. I can see him being a leader but like I said it’s hard to judge that without knowing those two things. Either way he’s a class player and one of the best second rows if not the best second row in the world.
No man
He is the best second row in the northern hemisphere but in the south we have Sam Whitelock, RG Snyman 2019 , Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth.
Even and snyman ya but we have itoje and ryan
Christian Smith valid point mate, he’s definitely the best in the northern hemisphere but he’s definitely one of the best second rows in world rugby. He’s in the same bracket as all those players listed above.
Coolprof 2.0 I agree that he’s the best in the northern hemisphere, he’s definitely in the same bracket as the others tho. All of those names are great players. Maybe in a few years Itoje could be better than them. Itoje definitely has great potential and if he continues to improve then I don’t see why he can’t be the best second rows in the world.
@@tylera4629 Ja I agree with you
It's the stuff we don't see that will earn him the captainship, no objections from me
He has all the characteristics to be a great lions captain, I hope he gets it
He lacks on field respect tho and other personality problems.
@@denisemccarthy5384 Agreed. I think he's had too much smoke blown up his rear end. He's a damn good player but as you say, he has respect and control issues.
Is prick one of them?
@@kylebyrne7282 salty
Nice Video, one of the best second rower in World Rugby
His abilities to steal the ball is amazing. Great job.
He was a monster against the All Black's in the World Cup win. Certainly the star player in the team. He is certainly one of the most talented prospects on the planet. Could you tell I'm SA
Kyle sinckler tribute
IMO he’s the best player on the planet at the moment, just frustrating to play against. Needs some more experience as a captain if he will captain a lions team, also great video.
Martin johnson captained lions before england
The frustrating thing is his best characteristic I think, watching him play Ireland last year is was so annoying to watch as an Ireland fan
@@lsg-longshotgaming9123
But you bloody love it when he's playing for the Lions and you're supporting him.
What an absolute hero of the game
Absolutely! I think either Farrell, Jonathan Davies, Itoji, Justin tipuric and possibly even Sam underhill could all be in with a shout.
Captained Saracens to a Champions Cup over Racing, winning MoM in the final. Captained England to a Junior World Cup against a South Africa team with the likes of Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard and Duane Vermuelen. A 26 year-old World Cup Finalist with probably 50 England caps by the time of his second Lions tour, way more than Jonno. But Gatland will probably still wheel AWJ out because he won a Grand Slam once.
Duane vermuelen is like 8 years older than pollard so he definitely did not ay that u20 game
@@Jords_Oliver I stand corrected. It was another Vermuellen.
Him and James Ryan should be the test team 2nd rows
Defentlty
Great job showing some of the impressive second row qualities and not just the tries!
From an outside perspective he has everything.
I'd like to see it.
I'm still amazed he didn't start all three lions tests in 2017
Amazing player, world class, but nowhere near mature enough to be a captain yet
He is already pack leader if curry is off pitch, he would be a great choice
KiwiKing353 ‘vice’ pack leader...lions captain...bit of a difference
Apart from the time he captained Saracens to a Champions Cup over Racing, winning MoM in the final. Oh and the time he captained England to a Junior World Cup against a South Africa team with the likes of Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard and Duane Vermuelen. A 26 year-old World Cup Finalist with probably 50 England caps by the time of his second Lions tour. But apart from that...he's totally green. 😂
DARTH MONG yeah I guess, must be why Eddie J has him as captain right?
@@MrAddyG Eddie's aim in the last world cup cycle was to decentralise the leadership group. Captains, co-captains etc. We'll see where it goes in the next cycle. It was never an issue of maturity. Certainly not now at 26.
Good vid once again, he kinda makes try scoring awkward, idk what it is.
Great video. Is it okay if I use some of the footages on my own Maro Itoje montage? Cheers.
Great video great player keep it up 👍
He’d be the first Black Captain which would be pretty cool. Did Jeremy Guscott or Jason Robinson ever captain England?
Why would his skin colour make him a "cool" choice of Captain? Inverse racism in your comment surely?
the womble it would be cool to see a black man captain one of the National teams of one of the most historically racist countries in the world. 😊
@@npd6225 Nath,, be yourself mate, not someone else's idea of what you should be...........
Nath 85 your not racist mate and the womble shouldn’t be so quick to jump on you and call you a racist there’s been far too much political correctness bullshit just recently it should be on ability not skin colour if they never have a black captain because they are not deemed good enough in their skill and abilities on and off the field (Captain Attributes) then so be it that’s not racist
GWLAD I’m used to the PC police now mate.
He is highly skilled, a workhorse in terms of workrate and physical as heck. However I feel that this "thuggish"/immature behavior sometimes can cost him the captaincy. Unfortunately the captain I tend to think as someone that not only inspire their team, but also is respected or almost revered by the refs and I do not sense that in him. But I might be wrong.
Perhaps (probably?) it is my side of seeing him as a player that I love to hate. I admire and hate him in equal parts probably
A lot of the England players are a bit "thick" when it comes to playing the Ref and showing respect. (I'm an England fan).
@@thewomble1509 this chap is far from thick
@@TheWallethead Maybe not but you are. I didn't say he was stupid per se. Read my comment again and get a sense of context.
@@thewomble1509 he’s never showed any disrespect to any refs... Farrell can be a bit of an idiot in terms of knowing how to play it with referees. You don’t have any evidence of Maro doing this with refs so you point is moot.
@@TheWalletheadYou are still defending Itoje from an attack I DIDN'T make............Just forget it man, life is too short.
Not sure about the next lions tour, but future England captain? Absolutely.
Cheeky bit of MCR in the soundtrack nice one!
He's a damn good player, would be a good captain. He seems like a quiet chap, what are his leadership abilities like. Anybody know?
I mean he captained England u20s to a world championship win against a South Africa team with Kriel and Pollard. He’s very animated on the pitch but in an interview he said that he’s a lot more calm off the pitch so I think he’d be a great captain but there are better options. Personally, I think he should be pack leader instead
Idea: hospital pass compilation
I have this one from last year: th-cam.com/video/tg2kNTUcw_Q/w-d-xo.html but I wouldn’t be against making a new one!
Captaincy is not really about field play, especially at national/Lions levels. Will Carling was a very average 12 and a phenomenal national captain. Scott Gibbs was a phenomenal 12 and an unwilling national captain. Personally, I rate Itoje very highly, but I hope he will have been seen to demonstrate captaincy before he is handed it. Nice vid tho...
That last bit makes no bloody sense whatsoever! Apologies. I was implying I feel a Lions captain should have a seriously good track record at club and national level before sitting on the Lions Captain's cushion.
@@offwithhishead2556
How do you feel about Martin Johnson as Lions captain then?
@@nick260682 He did both!
Captain of the future for sure - but too early at the moment IMO. He is an intelligent player, but can't see him commanding/leading/keeping his cool when it really counts - yet.
You act like he's not experienced!
He's won a junior world cup as captain, 3 six nations, 3 European cups, 4 premiership titles, been European player of the year, and in terms of keeping his cool, he has got 1 yellow card in 39 England appearances. And he's 26 - he aint a kid anymore.
I genuinely can't see at all where your problem lies? He is ridiculously over qualified for the job.
I would give it to him or O' Mahony. But knowing Gatland he will give it to Alan Wyn Jones
awj might not make the main starting line-up, if an Itoje -James Ryan partnership goes ahead
O'Mahony will be lucky to even make the tour, there's probably 10 better back row players than him now.
@@nick260682 nah him and Stander are probably the only two Irish players who are guaranteed to go. But they probably take a shit ton of back rows
Paddy Hoen
Can’t really see Stander going on current form.
The only one I can see going if he gets fit ever is Leavey
@@nick260682 yeah maybe. But knowing Gatland he will only bring Wales back rows
i don't think he'll be captain but he's definitely the first name on the team sheet
Is he fast?
0:39
Fast for a big lad yes.
He may just be the best player available for the lions but he’s not even the second best leader in his club with Farrell and Barrit in the mix no where near lions captain yet
I agree he is a great player when he is winning but if his team goes behind I don't think he has the right mentality to lead a lions team against world cup winning team
Bullshit. Give me an example of what you mean?
Please do a tom Collins tribute
1st on the team sheet!
this guy never even captained his club. isn’t mature enough for captain gets in a fight eveytimd
Lol literally he captained his team in a MoM against racing in the championship and has lead England u20s to the championship so to say hes not mature is pretty dishonest there, even gatland has hinted at it, hes potentionally the 2nd best luck in the world or tied to 2nd
best lock in the world
I love the video one of the few english players I like despite being a die hard ireland and leinster fan imagine him teaming up with James ryan the lions pack
1 cian healy
2 Ken owens
3 tadhg furlong
4 itoje
5 ryan
6 omahony
7 jamie rithchie
8 cj standet
So, you're Irish, we get it.
I'd have Faletau at 8, and I would not be surprised to see AWJ if he is still fit. Curry and Underhill might have something to say about that pack as well, their work at the breakdown is immense
1. Fagerson
2. George
3. Sinkler
4. Itoje
5. Ryan
6. Curry
7. Tipuric/Underhill
8. Faletau
He's the main reason the all Blacks were knocked out of contention in rwc
people who think Etzebeth is better than this guy are plain deluded...
Etzebeth streaks ahead
@@TheDruzza What, he plays in the nude?
@@TheDruzza etzebeth is uselss at the breakdown and everything else
Black spiderman
Who tf thought this music choice was a good idea
Might calm him down a bit
Insane player but seems a bit to emotional to be captain, let him focus on playing his ass out and lead by doing.
Have you seen him interviewed? He's literally the most chilled out, measured, intelligent man in rugby. You're so wrong.
@@nick260682 yes i've seen him, but one thing is talking sitting on a show and another one being on the field, where i've seen him scream and jump like a 13yr girl.
Miguel Angel
He never kicks off with the opponents though. It’s always positive emotion with his team mates, it’s a Sarries thing- think they call it celebrating small successes.
It’s probably annoying to play against, but great to be on the same team.
Alun Wyn Jones but I suppose I’m a little biased in that opinion if Maro get it hope it’s because they take into account the fact he’s an amazing player and not the colour of his skin given what has gone on recently with all the political correctness shite and blm 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Alun Wyn for the captainship surely?
2nd
I’d have so much more respect for him if he wasn’t a dirty player. He’s a fantastic player otherwise!
He has 1 yellow card in 39 tests. You've made up that he's dirty. Now you know he isn't at all, I presume you have loads of respect for him.
@@nick260682 fair he’s not the worst but he isn’t exactly an angel either , he has a bad habit of either holding on to players defending beside rucks or late tackles . Decent video on it as an example I think it’s called “mark itoje king of shithousery” something along those lines.
Fantastic player otherwise!
erik davila kenny
So basically you’re saying he does what literally every forward has done at rucks for the last 100 years, but somehow Maro (aka Mark for you) is dirty. Behave.
@@nick260682 ah nick come on who else does it so cause we both know none of the Scots do nor the welsh nor the french or Irish or Italians or few of the Southern Hemisphere players so who is there that does it as consistently as he does? next you’ll tell me Owen Farrell knows how to tackle legally 😂
I’m not saying your precious Maro is a bad player because he’s not alright sweetheart?
Don’t take it too much to heart bud , just a point in an other wise great player
erik davila kenny
Yeah they all do it. But cos Maro is a superstar it gets highlighted occasionally.
It’s not even dirty, as you claim it is. It’s annoying. But they all do it. If you say they don’t, I can only conclude you don’t watch any rugby.
Great player but not a captain. Taking off his silver medal shows he ain’t got the respect for it
It shows he wanted to win desperately, and he was devastated to lose. That is a fine attribute in a sportsperson.
Yeah... no!
Sorry he was one of the best not eny more gives too many penalties away
Is this basketball
No, it's Croquet.
@@AndrewDavidForde I don't like croquet. I love it.
Oh I guess I have croquet training today
first
Tribute.. is he dead. Wtf
Itoje is one of the dirtiest players I've seen really hope he doesn't get it
Dirtiest?? If you say so x
One yellow card in 39 tests. You're speaking shit mate.
@@nick260682 that means nothing. farrell only recently had his first red and he's been one of the most dirtiest players for years
Sorry not for me, Captain your Country first, Alun Wyn all the way!!🏴
Overhyped
I bet Tim is from new Zealand or wales
How? He’s a complete player
Search his highlights from the NZ semi final. It's about 2 or 3 mins long. You'll see why he isn't over hyped.
So over rated
Dirty player
Smart player*
@@Jason-so3jc No he isn't. Nowhere near.