From a very young age, we have been taught that there is no ‘I’ in team – and neither in rugby.

However, with global sports changing every day and the focus on wanting to grow rugby, is it time to put more emphasis on individual star power?

Lebron James, Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi need very little introduction. The moment their names are mentioned, sports fanatics immediately know who and what you are talking about.

The names have this incredible presence, to not only cause a stir but also grow their respective sports.

In recent years, rugby has gradually started to tap into that star-power mentality.

Siya Kolisi is a prime example of this new global rugby figure.

Signed by the leading sports agency ROC Nations Sports International, the Springbok captain has more than a million followers on Instagram.

Although his followers are few compared to Messi (over 500 million), Kolisi still manages to transcend different spheres with his phenomenal social media reach.

Spotted with the likes of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, Charlene Princess of Monaco and many more, he unintentionally lures the non-traditional rugby fan to the game.

Another rugby star, that has put the game in the mainstream is Ilona Maher.

The 28-year-old Maher has never shied away from the spotlight.

Maher, who won Sevens bronze with the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, making her the world’s most-followed rugby player.

She was also a runner-up in the most recent series of US television show “Dancing With The Stars”.

She has signed a three-month contract with English women’s Premiership side Bristol, in the hope of being a member of the US squad for the women’s World Cup in England later this year.

Following her debut for Bristol against Gloucester-Hartpury a few weeks ago, she stated that the sport needs more characters to grow the game.

“We are a very stoic sport in a way. I would love to see more personalities in the men’s game.

“You see it a little bit with a player like [former England prop] Joe Marler, but I can’t think of many others who have that. I wish they could show that more.

“There is a culture in rugby we need to shift. It’s an amazing sport, but also an old sport where the same things have been happening for years.

“We keep talking about how do we get young people into the game. Those people are online. We have to shift our mindset if the sport is going to evolve.”

England is set to stage the biggest women’s World Cup in August and September, with organisers aiming for an 82,000 sold-out Final at Twickenham, the headquarters of the Rugby Football Union.

And Maher said it’s a perfect chance for players to put themselves on the map.

“More women need to use it to get themselves out there,” said Maher.

“I went into the Olympics [she was part of the USA’s Sevens squad] knowing people are made by it – [gymnast] Simone Biles, [swimmer] Michael Phelps.

“I went into Paris knowing I had the chance to make myself and went in with a plan to post loads of videos. Can we go into the World Cup with a plan for players to post more videos?

“I want to show you can do both – play good rugby and post good videos. We all have a responsibility to capitalise on this World Cup.”

Maher added: “Putting yourself out there is how you get connections with people… If we want this to grow, it is on us. We have to do more, that is just the simple fact of it.”

*Additional source: AFP