Maro reigns on tourists' parade

IN THE end it needed something freakish to rain on Maro Itoje’s parade. Like biblical weather, and a surreal storm that paused the game for almost 40 minutes.

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Australia were glad to see the back of him.

Because no one has led from the front better than Itoje on this tour, who has now cemented his status as one of the most iconic players in his sport’s history.

His name is up there alongside the likes of Willie John McBride, Finlay Calder, Martin Johnson and Sam Warburton. He now has guaranteed membership to the most exclusive club of all.

There is no one better in among the muck and nettles of his sport. A master of the turnover, of the things that need to be done in dark places.