Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Maro Itoje named European Rugby Player of the Year

MARO Itoje has become the fourth successive England player to be named European player of the year but the Saracens lock claims that no aspect of his game is perfect.

The 21-year-old was awarded the honour ahead of Saracens team-mates Owen Farrell, George Kruis and Billy Vunipola, as well as Harlequins flanker Jack Clifford, Northampton wing George North, Toulon’s Steffon Armitage and Racing 92’s Dan Carter.


Maro Itoje, 21, is a man of many talents. He plays rugby, writes poems, discusses politics, and knows about the economic happenings of Nigeria though he wasn’t born here. Now, he has just won the six Nations cup with England, European champions’ cup and named best player in Europe.
 
At 6ft 5in, 18st 4lb, this ‘champion’ is his father’s role model. He was born in Camden, North London, after his parents Efe and Florence moved to Britain after marrying in Nigeria.

Wasps’ George Smith, Charles Piutau and Elliot Daly, Exeter’s Thomas Waldrom and Leicester’s winger Vereniki Goneva were the other nominees from the Premiership.

Itoje, who last week was also named the Rugby Players’ Associtation of young player of the year, follows previous English winners Nick Abendanon (Clermont), Armitage and Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) but insists his game remains a work in progress.

“I feel I’m nowhere near where I think I can be,” said Itoje. “I think there’s a lot to come. I’m still young. There’s still a hell of a lot of things I need to work on.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Technical director of the NRFF Olatunji Fasimoye says Its good news for Nigeria. he maintained that Nigerians are natural fit for rugby and the country can easily be next to South Africa in a few years if we really want to.

“There have been a large number of Nigerian born or eligible players who have, for a variety of reasons, opted to play for another nation. We believe with the right funding, we will be able to have these players play for the Black Stallions in the nearest future.

“We must improve our scouting programme and deal with issues that bothers around Insurance and early preparation for Tournaments”. 

No comments:

Post a Comment