The Springboks can expect an aerial bombardment and all-out attack at the...Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola dejected after the World Cup final Maro Itoje playing for the British & Irish Lions Published on July 29, 2020 Former British & Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll has named a starting lineup of players he would like to see face the Springboks in the opening Test of next year’s tour. Lock Maro Itoje says it took him a long time to get over England's painful 32-12 defeat in the World Cup final by the Springboks last November. It was still painful to watch, but I’m more optimistic about the future than the past and we have a lot of good years left in us.’Itoje believes the Covid-19 lockdown could be a blessing in disguise for him and England because it allowed him to overcome a few niggling injuries he had been carrying.‘The lockdown has shown that rugby can be quite fragile, not only on an individual level but also on a global level. The 25-year-old captained the England U20 side to the Junior World Championship in 2014 and started all three Tests against the All Blacks during the Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017 – despite being the youngest player in the squad at 22.‘Personally, I don’t think Maro is ready to be that leader yet,’ Venter said. Lock Maro Itoje says it took him a long time to get over England’s painful 32-12 defeat in the World Cup final by the Springboks last November.Itoje was arguably England’s only standout performer in the unexpectedly one-sided final where South Africa powered powered to victory.Appearing on All Black great Dan Carter’s Instagram interview series, ‘The final was extremely disappointing and it took me a long while to be able to watch the final. Former Bok centre and Saracens coach Brendan Venter believes Maro Itoje has enough to contribute without captaining the British & Irish Lions during their tour of South Africa in 2021.Itoje is one of the names heavily tipped to lead the Lions against the Springboks next year. South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. In an in-depth interview with Planet Rugby, Venter opined that while Itoje has an ‘immense potential’, he will have enough on his plate without the pressure that comes with the captain’s armband.
Exclusive interview - Inside Maro Itoje’s rugby mind: Calling lineouts, captaincy and celebrating turnovers Save This video content is no longer available. ‘I think he has immense potential, he’s a good man.‘He has good values but I think it will be difficult for him, and Maro’s way is contributing to a team in so many other ways. If you take a young man and expect him to be a leader of the British and Irish Lions, I’m not sure if that makes sense.‘But, you never know. England Rugby player Maro Itoje tells the BBC anger over George Floyd's death must bring long-term change. He would definitely be in contention as one of the possibilities as captain.’ It was too painful,’ he explained.‘The first time I watched it back was during the lockdown and I wanted to take lessons from it. ‘Personally, I don’t think Maro is ready to be that leader yet,’ Venter said. ‘Also, because he is so experienced, I think someone like Owen would be a good choice in the end but, if Warren Gatland decides to go with a majority of players from Wales, it could be someone else as captain.’Lions coach Warren Gatland has hinted that Itoje is already on his radar for the captaincy in an interview with ‘Itoje is the name that keeps cropping up,’ Gatland said. There are always lessons in victory and defeat and allowing my emotions to watch the game will make me a better player.