Modern rugby icon sets sight on World Cup
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: USA superstar Ilona Maher hopes she has done enough to book a spot in the World Cup squad.
Maher, who is a social media icon with 4.9 million Instagram followers, was signed by Bristol Bears on a three-month contract.
She made her debut for Bristol off the bench in a 17-40 home loss to Gloucester-Hartpury Women in front of a club record crowd of 9,240.
The following game she scored her first try for the club, a 41–31 away victory against Exeter Chiefs Women
The star concluded her tenure with Bristol Bears, scoring a try during the 20-36 defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) semifinal.
Maher is no stranger to international rugby, representing the USA Sevens squad that won bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
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The USA star said she hoped she impressed since her move to Bristol Bears and made a case for World Cup selection.
The USA team will be in action at the Pacific Four Series games. They kick off their campaign against Canada on May 10.
“We start with the Pac Four with USA 15s and I hope I’ve proven myself in this space to vie for a roster spot in the USA team and I hope I will be selected for that,” Maher told BBC Sport after the semifinal loss at Queensholm.
“It’ll be a lot of continuing to learn the game and put myself in the position to make a roster for the World Cup but also be the best player I can be in the World Cup.”
When asked if she will return to Bristol Bears, the 28-year-old stated she won’t ever close the door on a return.
“I never say never, I think it was amazing that even I got to come and play here for two and a half months,”
“What I was hopefully able to do and learn in two and a half months was amazing but I hope that even if I’m not playing this league continues to grow and we can get these numbers out to games even when I’m not there.”
Maher stated she is excited about the prospect of facing her former teammates on the Test scene.
“I’m proud to have been part of this team, a special programme they have here,” Maher said.
“The girls were so welcoming and made me part of the team and I got to play with some of England’s best players and Wales and Scottish, so it just set me up to be more successful at the World Cup.
“I’ll be playing against them – I wish I was playing with them but it was amazing.”
*Additional Source: BBC
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