Rugby Union fans feel they have been lied to after discovering Maro Itoje’s real name.
The England and Saracens star has gone by a much shortened version of his name throughout his entire playing career
Itoje’s parents, Efe and Florence, are both Nigerian. Therefore, the second-rower was given a traditional Nigerian name that is less well known to the common fan.
Proud of his heritage, Itoje has been visiting the country annually in the past couple of years.
“I have been back every summer for the past three or four years,” Itoje told the Mail Online.
“I used to go for the whole summer when I was much younger but when I joined the Saracens Academy I went for the whole summer, came back and could barely run!
“Too much food and not enough exercise. When you are in Nigeria it is not too conducive to doing a lot of physical work, unfortunately!”
Maro Itoje’s real name:
The name Oghenemaro Itoje does not sound too familiar to many rugby enthusiasts, yet, when it’s shortened to Maro, every England supporter would have words of praise for the latest English rugby superstar.
A submission from Canada says: “This name Ogenemaro means God is Greatest or it could also be translated God is greater.
“And the name originates from the Isoko tribe in Delta State of Nigeria.”
Maro Itoje facts:
- As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put.
- His guests would include a footballer! He told JOE: “I would pick Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Jay-Jay Okocha. He’s in there, my Nigerian brother!”
- “Richard Hill MBE – he is a former rugby union footballer who played flanker for Saracens and England and is the England team manager – he’s inspirational.”
- He is the cousin of Bath and England loosehead-prop Beno Obano. Gloucester speedster Ollie Thorley is also Itoje’s cousin, after his grandfather re-married a Nigerian woman who is the Saracens lock’s aunt.
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Dallaglio is not the only player who goes by a different name, and some fans were also taken aback when they learned Leigh Halfpenny’s first name is actually Stephen.
#1. Leigh is really Stephen Halfpenny
#2. Doddie is really George Wilson Weir
#3. Manu is really Manusamoa Tuilagi
#4. Conor is really Gerard Murray
#5. Richie is really Richard McCaw
