Ilona Maher says she is thinking about wearing a new hat after the Women’s Rugby World Cup – that of a pro wrestler, as ‘Maher-vellous’, she would call herself.
“I’ve been approached before by the WWE,” the centre slash social media magnet told BBC Sport ahead of the World Cup opener between the United States and hosts England on Friday (22 August). “I don’t know if I would. I should think about it, there is great money in it.
“I would love to get into the acting space and the scripted space. I think a Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson, John Cena progression – I would love to do that.
“It would be exciting to see my body type on the screen. I’ll start off small – probably like a hot assassin or something, let’s not get too crazy! I’m not going to be in a rom-com just yet.
“We’ll see. The world is open, but I do see myself coming back to rugby.”
Maher’s popularity already reaches beyond the world of rugby, with almost nine million followers on her social handles combined.
The 29-year-old, however, insists she is a rugby player first and foremost.
She won a bronze medal with the US sevens team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and her debut for Bristol Bears against Gloucester-Hartpury set a new attendance crowd for the Premiership Women’s Rugby of 9,240.
“So many times people forget, but I am a rugby player first,” Maher said. “I do the social media because I have to because it is not sustainable to be a women’s rugby player – I am not going to make money doing it.
“It does irk me at times when people forget that. One comment once was: ‘Are you going to watch the Instagrammer play?’
“I was like, ‘No, I have won a bronze medal, I’ve been to two Olympics, I am a good rugby player who loves the sport.’
“I am proud to do both but I do want to be known as a rugby player.”