British and Irish Lions 2017: Jamie George joins the thousands of tourists fawning over Maro Itoje's dominance

Much was made of the Saracens core that ran through the British and Irish Lions side that beat the Crusaders earlier in the tour of New Zealand, yet that failed to come to fruition in the first Test against the All Blacks as Warren Gatland’s side were outmuscled and physically dominated at Eden Park.

Something changed in last Saturday’s second Test, and while it would far too easy to credit that improvement on one player alone, you cannot overlook the impact of Maro Itoje. Not only is the lock the youngest member of this year’s Lions squad, Itoje is now the lineout leader and arguably undroppable if the tourists are to end their 46-year wait for a series triumph in New Zealand.

The 22-year-old was immense during the opening 40 minutes during Saturday’s 24-21 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington, setting the tone for the swing in physicality that the Lions implemented in Wellington. That did not go amiss on the fans, with the thousands of British and Irish supporters inside the Westpac Stadium repeatedly singing the ‘Oh Maro Itoje’ chant that filled the city’s atmosphere long after the final whistle.

“It’s pretty good!” said Itoje’s teammate Jamie George, who has seen the second-row develop for club, country and now the Lions. “That was a bit surreal to be honest. I’m very happy for Maro, he loves it – I actually don’t think he does like it if I’m honest – but they get stuck into it so I’m pretty happy about it.

“The way that the Lions fans were is something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. I had a lot of family in the stands and they were in floods of tears before the game based on the atmosphere and it made the occasion so much more special.”

There may have been something special about the occasion, but there’s no doubting that Itoje’s performance was something few scriptwriters are capable of coming up with. The England forward was unlucky to miss out on a place in the starting line-up for the first Test, given he had joined George, Mako Vunipola and George Kruis in forming the Saracens core that brought that pack dominance and gave the Lions the platform they need to beat the Super Rugby leaders.

He also contributed massively to the downfall of the All Blacks. Itoje called the lineout, something he has only done on the international stage during this year’s Six Nations, as well as carried well and disrupted the opposition’s possession with a notable impact in stopping the driving maul.

Itoje looks certain to start the third Test this weekend, the deciding match that will determine if these Lions are ranked among the greats or not. And yet, the local media in New Zealand determined that he scored a measly four out of 10 in their player ratings at the weekend. Needless to say, the score was mocked relentlessly on social media by those closer to home.

“The way [the forwards] controlled the game, nine or 10,” was the score awarded by George. “He was exceptional. He took himself to a place I’ve never seen before. Right on the edge, he is always very physical.

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“The way he ran the lineout – it was the toughest conditions I’ve ever thrown into, in terms of the wind and the rain – it was very difficult and we lost a couple early. But he showed real maturity and led that pack around. It was brilliant to witness and be a part of.”

His performance was worthy of the incredible record that Itoje has here. Given the fiery hot bed that New Zealand is when it comes to rugby, the fact that Itoje has won all seven games he has started on these shores across international, regional and age-grade rugby is nothing short of unbelievable. All this, and he’s only 22.