Itoje stamped his authority on the Lions with a commanding display as the Reds were overwhelmed 52-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
Making his first appearance in Australia as Lions captain, Itoje was at the heart of an eight-try rout that saw the England skipper, who scored a try of his own, leave his calling card on Brisbane two-and-a-half weeks out from the first Test at the same venue.
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Two-time Lions captain Warburton, speaking on Sky Sports said: “Itoje was awesome. Scrapping for balls on the floor, line speed, intercepts. He had about five turnovers today just for fighting for scraps on the floor.
“He was energising the pack at scrum time, with a non-stop voice and energy. They’re the unglamourous things, but that is what you need to do at Test level. He was exceptional today.
“Maro seems unflappable, very composed. You bring the fire pre-match in the changing room but then you are composed on the field.”
On Itoje’s leadership, Warburton added: “It’s that calm and composed nature but you are still ferocious in everything you do
“Maro seems unflappable, very composed.
“When it is decision making time at a penalty, he’s not rushing into those decisions. He’s calm.
“You bring the fire pre-match in the changing room but then you are composed on the field. That’s what I like about him.”
‘Itoje growing into leadership role’
Itoje only became England captain in January, succeeding Saracens team-mate Jamie George in what was somewhat of a surprise decision at the time.
However, the 30-year-old has grown in stature on and off the field, leading him to being named Lions captain for the tour to Australia.
Sinkler, a former team-mate of Itoje with the Lions and England, believes the second row is really growing into his leadership role.
Two-time Lion Sinckler said: “When you are playing alongside Maro and he’s at his best, it is so infectious. He was a nuisance around the rucks and set piece.
“He had an air of calm around him when things were a bit shaking early on. You can see he’s really grown into that leadership role.”
‘Itoje role key for Tests’
Getting a Lions captain to the Test series hasn’t been all that straight forward in previous tours.
Alun Wyn Jones suffered a shoulder injury in the tour opener in 2021 but did recover in time to lead the Lions in the Test series against South Africa. Warburton had his own injury problems during the 2017 tour to New Zealand, while Brian O’Driscoll was injured in the opening stages f the first test against the All Blacks in 2005.
Former Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan thinks it is vital for the Lions that Itoje plays in the Test series, saying the forward can be a consistent voice for the players as the coaching staff try to get their message across.
“You need your captain there,” McGeechan said.
“What people underestimate about Martin Johnson was he’s got a good head about the game and knows what you need and when.
“The game we wanted to play in 1997, he kept talking it through on the field as well so everyone was in tune.
“Sam [Warburton] was the same. You’ve got captains who understand the game and take what you’ve been doing from training onto the field.
“It’s just those little conversations that Itoje will have with players where the message never changes. It is always the same so there is a clarity right the way through the team about what you want to do next.”
What’s next: British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports
Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.
