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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