Wallaroos' mixed injury news ahead of last pre-Cup Test
The winger and 2024 Wallaroos player of the year is among the inclusions as coach Jo Yapp confirmed sweeping changes for the Wales rematch at North Sydney Oval on Friday.
Stewart was injured in the side's season-opening defeat of Fiji on May 3 and missed the next five Tests, four of which have been losses.
That includes an upset defeat by the touring Welsh in Brisbane last week, a reality check ahead of the World Cup in England next month.
Stewart, whose 15 Test tries is a Wallaroos record, shifts Waiaria Ellis to the bench while Faitala Moleka and Samantha Wood start at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.
Michaela Leonard is back at lock after being rested last week while Faliki Pohiva has overcome a hamstring injury and will start in the front row.
Props Eva Karpani (back) and Bree-Anna Browne (leg) were both injured in Brisbane, with Western Force's Alapeta Ngauamo rushed into the squad and likely to earn a fourth cap off the bench.
"We were disappointed with last week's performance," Yapp said of the 21-12 Ballymore loss.
"We've all had some honest reviews, and we are pleased with how the squad has responded at training."We know Alapeta will come in and do a great job and we are also excited for Maya Stewart's return after injury."
Yapp has been dealt her share of injury blows during this campaign.
Rugby sevens gun Bienne Terita (hamstring) has been ruled out of the World Cup, while fellow Olympic sevens star Charlotte Caslick (ankle) and regular captain Siokapesi Palu (foot) are targeting returns during the showpiece tournament.
WALLAROOS: Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (c), Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Samantha Wood, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse. Bench: Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis.
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