Broken Nose, But Make It Iconic
By Sunday, the swelling was down, but the humor was not…
Listen, it physically hurts me to see Ilona Maher (the funniest, most gorgeous rugby queen out there) rocking a broken nose. But of course, Ilona turned it into entertainment news. Over the weekend, she posted a video of herself icing her broken nose and used her own Dancing with the Stars audio: “Been better, Carrie Ann.” to let everyone know exactly how she’s doing.
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By Sunday, the swelling was down, but the humor was not. “Guys, stop fighting over me,” she joked with her double black eye. “I’m a model.” Like yeah, Ilona we get it you’re funny, gorgeous, and humble. My heart hurts for her nose, but I can’t help but love how she’s handled this whole thing.
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Bristol Bears, Big Moves
Ilona’s stint with the Bristol Bears is off to a wild start, and by “wild,” I mean her first time starting for them ended with a broken nose. But, she still played for 20 minutes and stayed an hour and a half after the match to take photos with every fan in line to see her. This is why she’s a fan favorite! She’s for the people. The game itself? Let’s just say it didn’t go Bristol’s way, but the record-breaking 9,240 fans in attendance weren’t just there for a rugby game—they were there for her.
All jokes from Ilona Maher after getting banged-up in her home-debut for Bristol Bears 😅
(via ilonamaher/IG) pic.twitter.com/rmpsUc3Nf7
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) January 18, 2025
Ilona’s impact on the team and women’s rugby is already obvious. She’s not just showing up to play, she’s out here growing the fan base one selfie at a time. This isn’t just me hyping her up either, just look at Ilona Maher’s stats. She doesn’t just play rugby games, she makes people actually care about them.
Rugby’s Superstar
Ilona’s three-month deal with Bristol isn’t just about earning her spot on Team USA for the Rugby World Cup, though that’s obviously the goal. She’s also out here elevating the entire sport. No one connects with fans or builds hype like she does. Women’s rugby needs more stars, more fans, and more growth, and, honestly, a few juicy rugby rumors wouldn’t hurt. Ilona gets it!
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Whether she’s posting her broken-nose updates or freezing her butt off taking selfies with every fan after a game, Ilona is so much more than a rugby player. And honestly, if you’re not betting on her, then what are you even doing with your life?
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