EXETER, England (AP) — United States rugby standout Ilona Maher marked her inaugural start for the Bristol Bears with a standout performance, culminating in a try during a 41-31 triumph over the Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. Maher, renowned as the most widely followed rugby athlete across social media platforms, showcased her skills by traversing half the field at Sandy Park, eluding two defenders, and notching a crucial try in the 55th minute, a testament to her exceptional speed and strength.
This significant milestone marked Maher’s second appearance in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition in England. Reflecting on her remarkable play, Maher credited her teammates for setting up the scoring opportunity, emphasizing her commitment to breaking through defensive lines rather than evading them, a tactic reminiscent of her sevens experience. She shared, “My teammates did the work to put me through and I had to get through a couple of defenders. I thought ‘Oh, this is sevens!’ I don’t go around them, always go through … Now it’s going to be figuring out when I have three people in front of me, how do I get through them?”
At 28 years old, Maher played a pivotal role in guiding the U.S. to a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games. Hailing from Vermont, she has shifted her focus back to the 15-a-side format with aspirations of solidifying her spot on the U.S. roster for the upcoming 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, showcasing her versatility by excelling at both wing and center positions.
Maher’s meteoric rise in popularity extends beyond the rugby pitch, with over 8 million followers combined on Instagram and TikTok. Moreover, her diverse talents were further highlighted by her commendable runner-up finish on the “Dancing With The Stars” television show, underscoring her dynamic abilities both on and off the field.
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