Ilona Maher is a tough woman. Not just because she plays rugby, perhaps one of the sports with the most physicality. But no, she is also tough for what she has done outside the 110 yards. Dancing with the stars? Check. Fighting for body positivity? Check. Making a big bag because of a new deal with Adidas? Check. Yes, you heard that right. Yet, despite this, some haters came to throw mud at her. But bad luck to them; Ilona’s fans were already ready to fight for their hero’s honor. But what did they do? Well, let’s see.

Ilona’s fans came in swinging with the same energy she brings to the rugby field. Adidas made it clear why they signed her, calling her a “history-making athlete” as they welcomed her to the brand. But because the internet can’t let people win in peace, one hater had to chime in with a sarcastic jab. Well, the fan was trying to imply that Maher should prove herself in fifteen rugby before landing big sponsorships.

Confused? So, rugby has two main formats: sevens (7s), where Maher is already a beast, and fifteens (15s), which is a more traditional, longer game. And guess what? She is already working on her fifteenth game and currently playing with the Bristol Bears to prep for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. So, yeah, it was a bad take. But this time, fans handled it for her!

Ilona Maher had the perfect reaction to the hater’s comment! She didn’t even need to say much. She simply shared an Instagram story featuring a reel from Pitch Princess SuperBame and captioned it, “I love my fans,” with laughing emojis. But what exactly did this fan do to win Maher’s heart? Well, she put together a masterpiece of a reel that absolutely shut down the criticism.

The video started with the hater’s bold comment displayed front and center: “Maybe concrete on learning 15s before you sign a promotional contract.” Then, in classic internet clapback fashion, the words “Random man on the internet” appeared over it, setting the stage for a full-on takedown.

The fan even threw in a PSA, reminding everyone that rugby cleats are worn in both sevens and fifteens—making it pretty clear the hater didn’t know what they were talking about. Then came the chef’s kiss moment—the transition into a highlight reel of Maher’s actual career. It showcased everything: her dominance in college rugby, her Olympic journey, the autographs she’s signed, the medals she’s won, and even the iconic moment she played through an injury, bleeding but unbothered. It didn’t stop there!

Clips of her leading the Bristol Bears, inspiring young athletes, gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated, and building a massive following flashed across the screen. The reel wrapped up with a final shot of Maher, perfectly captioned: “Hope this helps.” In other words, the fan just handed the hater a beautifully edited reality check. And Ilona Maher?

She loved every second of it, even the caption that read, “OPE 👀 not too much on our girl now!! 👑” A badass woman like Ilona can wear Adidas-branded cleats and athletic wear when she plays BOTH 15s and 7s professionally and at the OLYMPIC level? Da fuq??” Did Maher’s fans notice? Oh, absolutely. And they wasted no time hyping it up, flooding the comments with support and making it crystal clear—Ilona Maher’s got an army behind her.

Ilona Maher’s fans shut it down

One fan called out the pattern, writing, “She’s awesome. It’s interesting how it’s usually guys commenting that stuff on her social media. I’m starting to realize that women who experience imposter syndrome may have dudes like this in their life/ear. 😒” Another added, “Perfect example of think before you speak.” And honestly? They’ve got a point.

Maher isn’t just some athlete who got lucky with a sponsorship—she’s earned it. From the Olympics to professional rugby, she’s built a career that speaks for itself. Since winning bronze at the Paris Olympics, Ilona Maher has continued to dominate. She recently transitioned to fifteens rugby with the Bristol Bears, and even though she played just 20 minutes in her debut, the match saw a record-breaking crowd.

This forced the team to move to a bigger stadium. But Maher’s influence stretches far beyond the field. She’s built a massive following by championing body positivity, representation, and confidence in sports. And unlike many female athletes who struggle with imposter syndrome due to constant scrutiny, Maher refuses to let doubt creep in. When asked in a CNN interview how she overcomes imposter syndrome, she confidently responded, “I don’t have that.”

Her message was clear—she knows she’s put in the work, and she’s not about to question her place at the table. That’s exactly why her fans ride so hard for her. Another fan chimed in, “Not to mention sevens is arguably the hardest form of rugby?” while another didn’t hold back, saying, “Why is it always insecure men?” And, of course, someone else dropped the ultimate truth bomb: “Queen @ilonamaher can do everything she wants! 💪🏼”

And honestly? They’re right. Maher can clap back on the face, but this time, her fans have it covered. But let’s be real: if she wanted to, she absolutely could. Oh, and about sevens being tough? That’s not just talk—it is one of the hardest forms of rugby. Do you know why? Let’s break it down. Well, you’ve got just seven players covering an entire rugby field, which means there’s nowhere to hide and no time to catch your breath.

The game is only 14 minutes long, but those minutes are straight-up chaos! Constant sprinting, nonstop tackles, and split-second decisions can make or break a match. And since sevens players don’t have the luxury of specializing like in fifteens, everyone has to do everything—run, pass, tackle, kick, and create plays. One bad pass? One missed tackle? Boom, you’re down a try.

From Olympic medals to major brand deals, Ilona Maher has proven she belongs at the top. Haters can doubt all they want, but her fans, her talent, and her resume say otherwise. And if they still don’t get it? Well, they’re barking up the wrong tree.