CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Despite all the pre-match hype over the world's most-famous rugby player, Ilona Maher wasn't able to help her American team beat Australia on Saturday in a Pacific Four match.
Australia led 19-14 at halftime and went on to beat the U.S. 27-19 in the match at Canberra stadium.
Maher was by far the most popular player on either side in the game which preceded a men’s Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds as part of a doubleheader.
If anyone needed persuading about the popularity angle, Australian backrower Tabua Tuinakauvadra provided it.