Ilona Maher made her first house begin for the Bristol Bears on Saturday. Though the match went extraordinarily properly for her group, it didn’t go as properly for the worldwide rugby phenom.
She broke her nostril on a vicious sort out in the course of the first half.
Maher, 28, was the most important breakout star of the Olympic Video games in Paris over the summer season. Not solely did she lead the US to its first-ever bronze medal, she captivated the complete world on social media. No rugby participant in historical past has ever been extra in style— males’s or girls’s.
On account of her spectacular on-field efficiency (and the dimensions of her model), Maher just lately signed to play for the Bristol Bears of Premiership Girls’s Rugby on a three-month contract. Followers are packing the stands to look at the American heart play and they don’t seem to be leaving dissatisfied!
Bristol received Maher’s full debut on the street at Exter earlier this week. She even helped to elevate the Bears over the Chiefs with a vital attempt in the course of the second half!
Along with her full debut behind her, Ilona Maher made her first begin at house on Saturday. Greater than 5,000 supporters confirmed up.
A primary house begin for @ilona_maher ????#BRIvLEI | #BristolBears pic.twitter.com/GqfmafElLj
— Bristol Bears Girls ???? (@BristolBearsW) January 18, 2025
Though the pro-Bristol crowd was handled to a win, they didn’t get to look at a lot of Maher in motion. A damaged nostril compelled her to return out of the sport lengthy earlier than it was over.
Sadly, the PWR has not shared any extra video of the large hit that relegated Maher to the bench. (In the event you see one, please let me know!) She bought rocked.
Maher knew one thing was mistaken as quickly as she bought again to her ft. It was fairly brutal.
Ilona Maher couldn’t even benefit from the victory with the Bears as a result of she was compelled to carry the ice to her nostril all through the complete postgame celebration.
