Kick Offs and Kick Ons Ilona Maher Shows KOKO that She is More than Just the Biggest Name in Rugby
This week on The KOKO Show we have landed the biggest name in World Rugby. She has represented the USA at over 30 international Sevens Tournaments, won an Olympic medal and now she is doing her thing in the 15’s game in preparation for this year’s Rugby World Cup. Although her feats on the footy field are something to marvel at, it is her work off it that has further elevated her profile into superstardom. She is an authentic pioneer for women’s sport the world over, a total badass in the body positivity space and a media mogul in every sense of the title. It is of course the one and only Ilona Maher. The KOKO Crew with Ilona in tow discussed in depth what it was like growing up in Vermont, having success at the Olympic Games, sharing her messages of female empowerment and what is next for Ilona Maher after the 2025 Rugby World Cup. A chat that not only delves into the wins she has had on the rugby pitch, but an in depth look into the hard work and perseverance of a person that has taken the rugby world by storm and made it better.
Plus, the lads give you a full set of takeaways from round 14 of the Superb Rugby and the Wallaroos’ big win over the USA in Canberra. Moreover, we have a little gander at all the big talking points from the global rugby landscape in ‘Other Rugby News’, before locking in four more ‘Lion Tamers’ in our Aussie squad to take down those British and Irish bad boys. So, sit back and relax as we take a moment to marvel in the majesty of Ilona Maher, a person that has changed our game for good and will continue to put the Bae in Rug-Bae. It’s time for an all new episode of Kick Offs and Kick Ons.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Start of the show
02:27 - Introduction to the show
07:47 - KOKO Learnings
12:29 - Rugby Round Up Takeaways - Ardie Savea is on another level
16:19 - Brumbies are on top of the table
17:03 - The fall of the Waratahs
21:05 - James O’Connor should be picked in the Wallabies squad
21:58 - Mark Nawaqanitawase’s form at the Roosters
23:26 - Moana Pasifika are flying
25:19 - DRUA V FORCE
26:11 - Away games in France
29:00 - The Force’s travel woes
31:21 - Other Rugby News
34:38 - Wycliff Palu’s mad Monday story
40:00 - Ilona Maher joins KOKO
42:10 - The boys check in with Ilona Maher
43:02 - Ilona’s take on the city of Canberra
44:24 - The state of women’s rugby
45:15 - Ilona’s transition to the 15 player game
46:42 - Ilona on some pinch me moments during the tour
48:18 - Ilona’s cartoon crush
49:18 - Ilona’s podcasting advice for the KOKO Show
50:30 - Ilona’s love of cheese
52:10 - Ilona on the Dancing with the Stars experience
54:56 - The boys dance for Ilona
58:42 - Ilona on the Olympic Games
01:01:35 - What will Ilona do after the Rugby World Cup?
01:02:45 - Ilona on doing the Sports Illustrated shoots
01:04:19 - BLACK FERNS V USA PREVIEW
01:04:56 - Goodbye to Ilona and the boys trying her lipstick
01:07:24 - KOKO’s Lion Tamers
01:10:02 - The boys remember a couple of fallen rugby players
01:10:42 - Close of the show
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