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”.
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