2024 OLYMPIC SUPERSTAR | Ilona Maher Rugby Highlights!

[@michaelsilva7085]

She’s a beast! Hard hitting. Fast. Smart. Amazing player.

[@michaelsilva7085]

@@dumpynipple SHE

[@jennofthewest0916]

​@@dumpynipple sad that you can't compete with her?

[@myfemvideo]

​@@dumpynippleIlona is Female. She is a beast.

[@oakmaiden2133]

@@dumpynippleintimidated?😂 feeling inadequate? 😮😅 man up!

[@daryl6957]

​@@jennofthewest0916 Framed incorrectly. Chromo check👍

[@s_6930]

Again really appreciate ur coverage of the women's game. Not many others do it let alone so well :)

[@AndrewDavidForde]

@@s_6930 thank you! I have another video on a female sevens player out this Monday :)

[@faiththomas1749]

@@AndrewDavidFordeit’s bcoz of Ilona that my dad has a new found appreciation of my strength as a young g lady ( for years I’ve been told by people that bcoz I’m strong I’m never gonna be good enough but bcoz of her and Stephen nedorosicik the bespectacled Olympian) I’m now set forever

[@zoogie980]

Yeah she is a powerful runner and has a nasty fend but 0:33 really stood out to me. It's such a high-level play, idk if the average US fan can appreciate what she did there. The chasedown, tackle, getting to her feet, showing hands off, and then attacking the ball to get a no-release penalty. Literally textbook and she did it so fast. I did this a few times in my college 7s days and to me it was a better feeling than scoring a try. I used to watch alot of college and club rugby like 10 years ago when I played and tbh there was a noticeable skill gap between the men and womens teams. Not anymore. Women's rugby has come so far, especially in the US, and its incredibly fun to watch. Thank you for uploading and shoutout to all my rugby brothers and sisters around the world. I am so incredibly proud of our US Eagles.

[@AndrewDavidForde]

Great analysis - I also thoroughly agree that moments like that feel better than scoring a try!

[@OliJWalker]

Agreed - there’s absolutely no way that’s not a try 99.9% of the time. Great effort from Ilona

[@chrisnatoli240]

She’s is an absolute menace at the breakdown defensively agreed! Super high level knowledge to go with super high level natural talent and ability. Really excited to see her play center in a 15s format

[@MistyBasford]

That’s because women never had the opportunity. We still have very little. But thank you so much for supporting women. ❤

[@zoogie980]

@@MistyBasford I cant speak for every region in the US but where I live, the PNW, there are lots of programs for womens rugby at the high school, college, and club levels. Even summer camps for young boys and girls. Also im pretty sure the college I played at just recently started offering scholarships for the womens team too. Theres plenty of opportunities out there but it totally depends on where you live and how popular the sport is there. I’ve noticed that rugby is much bigger in the West than in the East

[@kirkrenshaw7713]

00:33 is an insane individual play, the ability to get the chasedown tackle and not let her score to then get up and get the penalty before anyone else is around is RIDICULOUS

[@juckoosaurus]

absolute unit of a woman

[@daryl6957]

Careful.

[@lukasmeggs5857]

Having seen how funny she is on social media, I always forget that she can back it up on the field as well lmao

[@reccon10]

Not on her socials but have seen a few reposts and yeah, funny as hell.

[@mhorlor]

The tackle, jackal speed is a lesson to all. Awesome player.

[@kevinwhitfield5370]

Wide receiver speed, running back breaking tackles ability and hits harder than a linebacker. Total package.

[@nathjones77]

And she can tackle like a cornerback. And she can jackal like Sam Warburton. Which you don’t get in NFL

[@darkwing4027]

She's amazing but she can't hit like an NFL linebacker

[@vivianeborkholder2268]

Ilona has made me a fan of rugby! This is awesome!

[@Rfl1ubdn32]

@@vivianeborkholder2268 omg me too!

[@Rfl1ubdn32]

@@vivianeborkholder2268 I'm officially a rugby fan now lol

[@visotoo3129]

Out of the many great moments and memories from Paris, nothing has stayed with me more than the final moments of the women's rugby bronze medal match, which I was watching live. Congratulations to the entire team!

[@JKMeZmA]

Fantastic to see more women’s players getting the plaudits and recognition 💪

[@johnmcneill6595]

She is an inspiration to me and my daughters. Grit and grace all in one person.

[@elizabethfox6051]

What a powerhouse!! I love ILHONA! So inspiring. Happy for young girls who get to look up to her. I am a grown woman and I look up to her! Channeling Ilohna next time I'm in the gym! Lol She is an incredible athlete who is smart, hilarious, and so considerate. What a great role model and example. Thanks for the highlight compilation. I've been looking for something like this. Saved it to my favorite videos just so I could reference back when discussing her with others. Great stuff!

[@Keza82]

This kind of coverage is fantastic for Rugby and Rugby 7s in the US, she is also an absolute weapon on the field

[@extremesportsify]

I hope she does wonderful things for our sport! Proper legend

[@bronzemen34]

She is amazing.....I love her style,her passion and think she is absolutely beautiful inside and out Truly an American Icon in rugby...She has faced adversity on and off the field but has always remained positive thru it all ❤

[@MrSpleenboy]

Nice! Glad you highlighted the work she does in defence as much as what she does in attack. Great technique tackling and jackalling. And one hell of a fend... I know I wouldn't argue with her! 😃

[@rcwariii]

She definitely has a higher gear then most of her field. ❤ Absolutely amazing. She's incredible.

[@JM-bg2ts]

The extra gear you get fro being on gear, such an obvious drug cheat.

[@Andrew_M_Ward]

She is an absolute GLADIATOR

[@deweyhobie]

What a beast. She runs likes Earl Campbell and tackles likes Dick Butkus. For you younger people out there look them up on the Internet. They were absolute destroyers in the NFL.

[@keakuawaleno]

She looks like a freaking shield maiden 😮 2:54 what a textbook tackle

[@TheScarecrow78]

Not only a great athlete but from what Ive see a great person too.

[@Snitzler4710]

She’s an incredible athlete! Fast, strong, and smart.

[@TheDrew718]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. When she tucks her chin and shifts gears, it's over. Gotta get a Ilona Maher jersey for me and my daughter 😂

[@nikeyrawhide2873]

American Football: "helmet is mandatory for player's protection" Rugby: "what's a helmet?"

[@stephen.oreilly-nugent8293]

Absolute athlete. So awesome to see her in rugby. Love her❤ play.

[@jeaniekim9951]

New to rugby… loving this! 🔥

[@yvetterodriguez2550]

Whoa 😲. She's a BEAST! She's someone you don't wanna go up against lol. DAYUM. This was my first time checking her out. I came here cuz I just watched a video of her crying and mentioned how her entire life she's dealt with bullies making fun of her for being seen as too masculine and not feminine. I don't know what those idiots are talking about. This woman is FIT. She has to be in order to be great on the field. And from what I've just seen, she dominates any field she steps into. THAT is an athlete. Anyone who bullies her should be ashamed and embarrased of themselves. Ilona is great the way she is. She is bringing home some medals for the U.S. She's a hard worker and it shows. The last thing I'll say is that I wish we had rugby here in the U.S. the way we have football. That sport looks like so much fun to watch. And for me, it's the closest thing I'll see of women playing football. And how is flag football not a legit sport yet? I wanna see some girls rock that field. We can be rough and tough as the boys 💪😎 💯.

[@zoogie980]

Just about every state university has some kinda rugby team, both mens and womens and ill sometimes even see it broadcasted on major sports outlets. I think its more popular in the West than in the East but its played accross the entire nation. In my region we have legit highschool programs as well as adult leagues. Rugby culture in the US may still be small and under the radar but it is extremely passionate. My state even has youth programs and camps and the college I played at just recently started offering scholarships for rugby players. It will never be as popular as football but I could totally see rugby being the next big womens sport kinda like how soccer is now. Men's rugby is decades behind the rest of the world but our women are at the forefront of the sport. I'm so happy we have such great ambassadors like Ilona.

[@AmericanHorse-sg9oc]

She is so good! New Zealand loves Ilona, and we love our Rugby girls. We are so lucky to have these Gals entertaining us more than the boys. Ruby, Stacey, Ilona...nuff said!

[@lukebryan-i7m]

YES, she is a true woman born of a great man she replies to her fans, I have chatted with her.

[@shugemery]

Head down charging speed and hitting toughness. YEAH~~ Primo player. She gets some stick from some off field but stands up and shows her stuff. I like her. Like her a lot.

[@YOYOTh1s]

Powerful, with great appreciation of the breakdown laws! Wow!

[@azaguero8170]

go USA! thx for the highlights!

[@mlesure5192]

Love to watch her put her head down and run. Pure power. Good job young lady.

[@reccon10]

Absolutely amazing athlete. Thanks for the edit. Very cool

[@touchofgrey5372]

I don't understand the game but it is vividly clear what an intense player she is!

[@r.fuentez1482]

I love it! Next level effort!

[@thomasholt5884]

Never has an athlete had such passion. Simply amazing.

[@billmago7991]

the Australian NRLW need to sign her up.Ilona is the type of player who gets bums on seats....I would love to see her play in our domestic rugby league season👌👌🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲

[@fiji82bad]

Incredibly strong,fast, fit and from the look of things she is also seems to be a pretty nice person. Great role model for up-and-coming players :-)

[@IainMacaulayce]

As a number 2, can say she plays with heart

[@myrajhall7690]

Love this girl! She is an unstoppable force.

[@eamo106]

Such a new fan ! Ilona Maher , the stand out player of women's Rugby ! You beat my Ireland ! Well done ! The Jonah Lomu of women's Rugby 2024 ! What a strong woman !

[@jerrycaughman6324]

What a unit! Man I need to start watching rugby.

[@rittherugger160]

Watching her play has brought me to the conclusion that she just might have the most effective fend in rugby. I admit that if she was playing men her percentage of involuntary sit downs would drop but she's not play against men. I'd like to see how she looks wearing #8 on the 15s squad.

[@w0033944]

#8 - good call!

[@llongone2]

Still my favorite medal of the 2024 Olympics. And Ilona Maher just willed it into being. Who knew a Force of Nature wore a pony-tail?

[@mannymarrero2735]

Some of these ladies are making a "Business Decision" when trying to tackle her!

[@jim242]

You just know greatness when you see it like MJ and Caitlin Clark and now Ilona

[@HannibalLekta-qg2ip]

There's a few different types of the Rugby but..... Rugby Union & Rugby League are the two main versions

[@kelz5339]

We heard about the eagles winning games ,it peaked interest,so we watched and observed her not only scoring tries but preventing them,then we realized,oh,ok,we have to adjust our game plan

[@redrust3]

First rugby medal since US men won gold in Paris in 1924! Ilona probably has one more Olympics remaining.

[@llspragulus]

GAH DAMN!!! That chika is BEAST!! She puts those turbo boots on and GONE!!! I will 100% watch Women's Rugby now.

[@joesmith-t2z]

Maher is strong as a bear and quick as a leopard! beautiful and terrifying.

[@lukebryan-i7m]

She replied to my chat.

[@RugbyGuide]

I didn't realize she'd played some XVs. Her and Kelter at 13 and 12 would be some force to be reckoned with!

[@CXK13]

Women’s Rugby was the highlight of the olympics.

[@brianchu8147]

I feel like she’s got bam bam Kam and Beast mode together in one package. My mouth dropped several times 😮

[@jaybo2099]

Well dang...now I've got to learn how rugby works.

[@snakey973]

What a powerhouse Maher is

[@96ludako]

Damm, she is a force! Defence and offence - great plays and effort.

[@robharper2078]

Warrior Queen!

[@a-bittersweet-tragedy0203]

she just throws these women around 😂

[@ElricX]

Phenomenal!

[@aaronstaley3549]

She’s Derrick Henry and Roquan Smith rolled into one. She’s a beast.😊

[@canadiancontent352]

Jasmine Joyce smashed her. She’s the most underrated women’s 7s player

[@AndrewDavidForde]

I've doen a video on Jaz's best try savers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6vEnJ6gatWLq68&pp=ygUNamFzbWluZSBqb3ljZQ%3D%3D

[@w0033944]

Joyce is ridiculously good for her size.

[@canadiancontent352]

@@w0033944 for anyone’s size

[@canadiancontent352]

@@AndrewDavidForde just watched brilliant

[@michaeleliassen4520]

Awesome. But I do wanna see Joyce’s try save tackler on Maher. 2 greats.

[@AndrewDavidForde]

@@michaeleliassen4520 I can’t include Olympic highlights due to copyright!

[@michaeleliassen4520]

@@AndrewDavidForde darn!

[@PRGCTUS]

Amazing player. Patriot. Beautiful.

[@MarionJInce]

Amazing!

[@SuperJNG18]

What she's done to raise the profile of rugby in this country has been insane to behold. Bristol's lucky to have her! She deserved a club after all she's done for Team USA!

[@belovedchild9812]

Where can I watch a reply of the bronzer medal match? I’m having a hard time finding it.

[@AndrewDavidForde]

@@belovedchild9812 dm me on instagram @andrewforderugby

[@ChimneyJuice]

What a unit!

[@mordekaipalms]

cannot wait to see her in the PWR...will be fascinating to see what position (s) she´ll end up playing

[@badfish318]

Yup. I'll do the dishes.

[@thom10109]

Be interesting to see where she plays playing in the 15s, would have to be loose forward or centres but I think having a 7s background and looser nature of that game inside centre would be a better position for her, it could provide her a lot more one on one opportunities

[@EdwardKeen-yq3to]

I love your videos

[@emmatyler7036]

Honestly this is the new football

[@Clipper_Damez]

Come get your flowers, Ilona. We love you here in Aotearoa New Zealand. You know, it's not a bad place to settle if you know what I mean ;)

[@TiggerPafalani]

Respectfully shes the jonah lomu of this sport absolutely love ilona ❤

[@johnanderson1245]

I prefer League to Union but 7’s are great too. Hard hitting and fast action.👍

[@paulwgraves]

She and Derrick Henry got something in common. 😈😈😈😈Go Ravens Flock Nation! Also she built different. It was really fun watching her play.

[@Lyscian420]

Dope video

[@antoniomrubio]

The new end boss of women’s rugby

[@lancelehmkuhl]

What a women! 😊

[@Z-Rollz]

She is just a marvel to watch

[@oldirtybxstxrd708]

Portia Woodman CLEARS

[@mitrickroth628]

She is amazing. I’m in love 😻

[@T1cksandLeeches]

:49 - To every idiot that talks about the NFL and cries about "how else are they supposed to tackle from behind". THIS IS THE ANSWER. You attack the upper legs, wrapping up, prioritizing getting arms around both legs so they can't keep balance. Yeah, I'm glad there's a rule where you can't drop weight into an opponents legs. I was taught to tackle like this in 5th grade, so no excuse for an NFL player. Look...so easy a girl can do it

[@slayerduval1]

What an athlete!

[@jackm2939]

2:55 - boomfaaaa

[@steelchroniclesgaming]

I love when she puts her head down while running I guess she gets extra boost! 😂

[@percyfaith11]

Well suited for the farm. Does she have plow experience?

[@bewareowesome]

Elle est impressionnante! Je l'adore

[@marienz9555]

She is a power house with speed to boot!!

[@motodudu]

Damn 😮, this girl is good !!

[@TheFloridaMom]

AMAZING! Proof women can be intelligent, beautiful and bad asses! Way to represent Ilona! 🏉👑

[@EdwardKeen-yq3to]

So good

[@readguthrie1241]

Incredible athlete.

[@karenlongfellow3938]

AMAZING player & DWTS DANCER!!!!!

[@fiji82bad]

Great player!

[@shaneraines2094]

Welcome to Bristol Bears!!!!!

[@reiniervanramshorst1031]

Ilona Maher in MMA 😮

[@dskim5848]

Damn!..... she doesn't joke around! I would hate trying to stop her!