Itoje pips Barrett for top spot

England lock Maro Itoje is the best rugby player in the world – edging out All Blacks star Beauden Barrett – according to an influential English newspaper.

Itoje’s commanding performance in England’s 19-7 2019 World Cup semifinal victory over the All Blacks helped him win The Times’ top award.

Owen Slot, The Times’ chief rugby correspondent, wrote that Itoje dominated the lineout against the All Blacks’ four jumpers – locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock and starting back rowers Kieran Read and Scott Barrett.

‘‘The British & Irish Lion neutered New Zealand’s apparent strength,’’ Slot said. ‘‘The All Blacks didn’t rule the lineout. Itoje did. Of course, he might object to that assessment, because it is a team game and all that. However, he stole two of the All Black throws in the first half and forced New Zealand into an early tactical substitution.

‘‘He also made two turnovers. He was the most influential player on the pitch. That is why he is our world No 1 player, because of the number of games on which he imposes this relentless,

f World Rugby can introduce a well-structured, global calendar, then club and international windows can be aligned, and tier-two and tierthree get regular opportunities. We all have an opinion on how that might work – clear windows of competition.

It will take time. With this season yet to be completed, next season is going to be a transition year whatever happens, so any changes are unlikely to be able to take place before the 2021-2022 season.

If it takes any longer than that it will have to happen after the next World Cup in France in 2023, as you could not hope to implement such global structural change in the same season as the over-bearing influence. Ask the opposition and they will tell you he is hell to play against.’’

Barrett was voted the No 2 player in the world by The Times, with its deputy rugby correspondent Alex Lowe saying the twotime World Rugby player of the year’s style of rugby was ‘‘a highoctane, high-speed thrill ride,’’ akin to his boyhood riding swollen Taranaki river rapids on a tractor tyre’’.

Lowe said Barrett ‘‘sees opportunity rather than risk in every situation; a rare state of mind you see in the very best athletes.’’

Barrett was one of three All Blacks in top 10. Retallick was

Sir Ian McGeechan was a former British and Irish Lions player and coach.