Ilona Maher 'was really nervous' for Bristol Bear debut, hopes to show fans the 'quality' of PWR

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Ilona Maher made the first appearance of her three-month loan spell at Bristol Bears in their PWR match at home to Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday. Maher was unable to prevent a 40-17 defeat after coming on for the final 20 minutes of the tie, and admitted to nerves when she spoke to TNT Sports. She also said that her aim was not just to help her team-mates, but attract fans for the long-term.

Maher talks UK life, PWR debut nerves and mission to help grow women’s game

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ilona Maher admitted she was "really nervous" as she made her debut for Bristol Bears in a 40-17 defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury, but hopes to show fans the "quality" on offer in Premiership Women's Rugby.

Maher joined the Bears on a three-month contract after showcasing her quality at the Paris Olympics, where the USA sevens side won bronze.

The 28-year-old played 20 minutes after coming on as a replacement in her PWR debut, but her presence on the wing was not enough to turn the match around for her new team-mates.

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Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Maher admitted to nerves though said she was quickly feeling more settled.

She explained: "I was really nervous as I put my bib away, my jacket down, and as I got in and made the first hit I was like, ‘Oh, this is just rugby.’

"This is something that I do and that I love, and I felt very comfortable, to the point that I looked at the time and thought, ‘Give me 10 more minutes’."

Maher revealed that she was hoping to help her team after adjusting to the demands of Premiership rugby, and getting used to 15-a-side once again.

"It's definitely been a lot," Maher said. "I want to go on the field and do well for my team-mates. It’s a lot of system play. In the sevens it’s ‘get ball, run’, but [in 15s] there are so many steps in between to get that ball, but I’ve been doing my best.

"It’s so different, I’m just a silent observer right now. There are so many words being thrown around. What’s been great is the team is so ready to help me with anything, even someone who plays the same position I’m going to go for.

"It’s really an environment that’s ready for me to learn."

The American also said that it was important to her to build the sport by attracting spectators to game, and then keeping their attention with the quality on offer.

Bristol confirmed that Sunday's game was played in front of a record crowd of 9,240 at Ashton Gate.

Maher said: "My thing is if I get them to a game, awesome, but I hope that they stay and realise that it’s rugby being played, and they come back for another game.

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"I think it’s getting them through the door and showing them the level that’s being played now. It’s completely different than it was three or four years ago. It’s quality stuff."

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