WHEN Warren Gatland spoke of the “legacy” he wants his Lions to leave, he was talking about the glory of an historic series victory over the All Blacks.
But win, lose or draw in Saturday’s decider at Eden Park, one legacy of this tour is now inevitable: Maro Itoje is going to be a massive star.
When his second-row partner Alun Wyn Jones spoke yesterday of his 6ft 5in, 18½st room-mate lathering himself up with cocoa butter, it sounded as if another commercial deal was being dreamt up for the Saracens forward.
Itoje, 22, is the youngest member of this British & Irish Lions squad and will soon be the wealthiest — heading for rugby’s first £1million playing salary, before we even think about sponsorship deals.
Jones was controversially selected ahead of Itoje for the first Test defeat.
But they paired up in last week’s 24-21 success and the 31-year-old Welshman ended the night belting out his fellow lock’s anthem with travelling fans.
“Oh Maro Itoje!” to the tune of the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army has become the soundtrack to the tour, as this four-nation army penetrate New Zealand’s rugby stronghold.
It is not that Itoje has been the Lions’ outstanding player — there has not been an obvious one — it is just that he has a charisma which is likely to transcend the sport like no other in the professional era.
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His agents, Stellar, look after Gareth Bale, and their commercial clout means Itoje does not need to be charming in front of the media — and he has not been.
Jones will play his ninth successive Lions Test tomorrow — the first player in the professional era to complete the full set — but he is happy to play second fiddle to Itoje.
The Wales star said: “Maro’s all right. He won’t share his cocoa butter with me but that’s OK, I’ve just got to watch him lather himself up in it.
“I’m rooming with him, so I make sure he likes all the music and is tucked in at night.
“From the outside you can see he’s a physical specimen but not necessarily his leadership qualities. He run the line-out last week and will again this week. I’m happy to play that supporting role when someone’s flourishing like he is.
“I’m not the only player that’s joined in on the Maro Itoje song. It was quite a nice moment to enjoy with the fans.”
Jones has suffered some severe stick and had not realised until the controversy over his First Test “how many selectors there were”.
The Ospreys skipper said: “There’s always going to be questions asked where there is competition and as long as you can answer those questions then you’re deserving of a place.
“You’re not going to please everyone. But then it’s not about pleasing people, it’s about winning.
“What’s social media? You mean anti-social media? You do get a bit of stick but it’s par for the course.
“You can’t put yourself on there if you can’t take the rough with the smooth.”
Head coach Gatland is adamant the Lions have got the All Blacks rattled.
While the Lions are unchanged, the Kiwis have made three switches — and Gatland says they have been naming teams to counteract the tourists. He said: “It’s ironic but we haven’t really even spoken about the All Blacks.
“It’s like how they go into games not worried about the opposition, just picking their own team, playing their own game and worrying about themselves. That’s what we have been doing.
“They’ve changed their game plan and style.
“I see that as a massive sign of respect from them to us, them looking at us, negating our strengths and threats.”
“We’ve played some excellent rugby. I’d like to think we leave here with some respect for the way we’ve played.”
The Lions last won a series in New Zealand in 1971.
Gatland said: “We think we’re scratching the surface and this team can get better and better on Saturday.
“Now this group of players have an opportunity to leave a bit of a legacy.
“You get those moments in life and you don’t want them to pass you by.”
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