12-08-2025
Stewart's return takes on greater importance after star ruled out of World Cup
Maya Stewart's timely return for the Rugby World Cup took on even greater importance on Monday as Wallaroos trump card Charlotte Caslick was ruled out due to an ankle injury.
The inclusion of Stewart, who made a rapid recovery from a knee injury to be part of Australia's World Cup squad, will somewhat temper the loss of the rugby sevens star.
Caslick paused her sevens career, making a full-time switch to the 15-a-side code this year to add clout to the Wallaroos' Cup charge.
The three-time Olympian was just starting to find her feet in the centres before being ruled out.
Uncapped Wallaroos centre Manu'a Moleka has been called up for Caslick, who could still feature as an injury replacement later in the tournament.
But, having a fighting fit Stewart back in the squad is a huge boost.
Three years on from making her Wallaroos debut with a singular appearance at the last World Cup in New Zealand, the Nelson Bay flyer is now an established lethal weapon on the international stage.
Stewart has quickly become Australia's all-time leading tryscorer and was named Wallaroos player of the year in 2024.
The NSW Waratahs star will be a focal point of the Australian attack as they face Samoa (August 23), United States (August 31) and hosts England (September 7) in the group phase with an eye on reaching the quarter-finals.
"I was such a young kid, probably a bit naive at the last World Cup," Stewart said.
"Rolling into this World Cup, I feel more evolved as a player and a bit more established and keen to rip into a few games.
"I've probably changed a bit, maturing and playing more footy and spending a bit more time in the international set-up.
"So it's kind of cool to go from being a naive 22-year-old debuting at a World Cup, which is crazy, but now I'm 25 and I feel at a different place in my career."
Stewart's World Cup dreams looked shattered in May when the barnstorming winger sustained a knee injury playing a Test against Fijiana in Fiji.
After two previous long-term injuries - the 25-year-old has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both knees - she feared the worst.
"Once you had a few serious injuries, you know when something's not right," Stewart told the Newcastle Herald before flying to England on Monday afternoon bound for the World Cup.
"I didn't sleep that whole night in Fiji. I just wanted to get home. I couldn't get a scan over there and I was fully convinced I'd done my ACL, and I wasn't going to the World Cup."
It turned out to be a meniscal injury, which was "more painful" but less serious than a torn ACL.
After three months on the sidelines, Stewart marked her return to action in Australia's 36-5 win over Wales at North Sydney Oval on August 1 with a try.
"They probably thought my rehab was going to be a bit quicker than what it was, but for me, I would rather go a little bit slower, miss a few more games and have it really right for the big event," Stewart said.
"I felt really good in that game."
Stewart produced a player-of-the-match performance as the Wallaroos beat Scotland 31-22 in South Africa in October last year to claim the WXV2 trophy and secure World Cup qualification.
They have played seven Tests, five on home soil, in the past three months to prepare for the tournament.
"[Last year's performance] was reassuring, considering we've only just started to go full-time," Stewart said.
"It shows the potential of where our program is at and it gives you more confidence; with a bit more time together and a bit more training, that's the sort of performances that we can produce.
"It's really nice leading into this knowing off the back of '24, we've had some time together. It's really simple stuff, just a little bit more training, connections here and there and being able to nut out a bit more classroom work as well.
"The program is still not centralised, but, with the amount of time that we're having in camps and dedicated to Test matches, it feels like we almost are."
Hunter products Layne Morgan, Kaitlan Leaney and Ashley Marsters are also in the Wallaroos' World Cup squad in England.
Australia's best result in seven Cup appearances is third.
Maya Stewart's timely return for the Rugby World Cup took on even greater importance on Monday as Wallaroos trump card Charlotte Caslick was ruled out due to an ankle injury.
The inclusion of Stewart, who made a rapid recovery from a knee injury to be part of Australia's World Cup squad, will somewhat temper the loss of the rugby sevens star.
Caslick paused her sevens career, making a full-time switch to the 15-a-side code this year to add clout to the Wallaroos' Cup charge.
The three-time Olympian was just starting to find her feet in the centres before being ruled out.
Uncapped Wallaroos centre Manu'a Moleka has been called up for Caslick, who could still feature as an injury replacement later in the tournament.
But, having a fighting fit Stewart back in the squad is a huge boost.
Three years on from making her Wallaroos debut with a singular appearance at the last World Cup in New Zealand, the Nelson Bay flyer is now an established lethal weapon on the international stage.
Stewart has quickly become Australia's all-time leading tryscorer and was named Wallaroos player of the year in 2024.
The NSW Waratahs star will be a focal point of the Australian attack as they face Samoa (August 23), United States (August 31) and hosts England (September 7) in the group phase with an eye on reaching the quarter-finals.
"I was such a young kid, probably a bit naive at the last World Cup," Stewart said.
"Rolling into this World Cup, I feel more evolved as a player and a bit more established and keen to rip into a few games.
"I've probably changed a bit, maturing and playing more footy and spending a bit more time in the international set-up.
"So it's kind of cool to go from being a naive 22-year-old debuting at a World Cup, which is crazy, but now I'm 25 and I feel at a different place in my career."
Stewart's World Cup dreams looked shattered in May when the barnstorming winger sustained a knee injury playing a Test against Fijiana in Fiji.
After two previous long-term injuries - the 25-year-old has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both knees - she feared the worst.
"Once you had a few serious injuries, you know when something's not right," Stewart told the Newcastle Herald before flying to England on Monday afternoon bound for the World Cup.
"I didn't sleep that whole night in Fiji. I just wanted to get home. I couldn't get a scan over there and I was fully convinced I'd done my ACL, and I wasn't going to the World Cup."
It turned out to be a meniscal injury, which was "more painful" but less serious than a torn ACL.
After three months on the sidelines, Stewart marked her return to action in Australia's 36-5 win over Wales at North Sydney Oval on August 1 with a try.
"They probably thought my rehab was going to be a bit quicker than what it was, but for me, I would rather go a little bit slower, miss a few more games and have it really right for the big event," Stewart said.
"I felt really good in that game."
Stewart produced a player-of-the-match performance as the Wallaroos beat Scotland 31-22 in South Africa in October last year to claim the WXV2 trophy and secure World Cup qualification.
They have played seven Tests, five on home soil, in the past three months to prepare for the tournament.
"[Last year's performance] was reassuring, considering we've only just started to go full-time," Stewart said.
"It shows the potential of where our program is at and it gives you more confidence; with a bit more time together and a bit more training, that's the sort of performances that we can produce.
"It's really nice leading into this knowing off the back of '24, we've had some time together. It's really simple stuff, just a little bit more training, connections here and there and being able to nut out a bit more classroom work as well.
"The program is still not centralised, but, with the amount of time that we're having in camps and dedicated to Test matches, it feels like we almost are."
Hunter products Layne Morgan, Kaitlan Leaney and Ashley Marsters are also in the Wallaroos' World Cup squad in England.
Australia's best result in seven Cup appearances is third.
Maya Stewart's timely return for the Rugby World Cup took on even greater importance on Monday as Wallaroos trump card Charlotte Caslick was ruled out due to an ankle injury.
The inclusion of Stewart, who made a rapid recovery from a knee injury to be part of Australia's World Cup squad, will somewhat temper the loss of the rugby sevens star.
Caslick paused her sevens career, making a full-time switch to the 15-a-side code this year to add clout to the Wallaroos' Cup charge.
The three-time Olympian was just starting to find her feet in the centres before being ruled out.
Uncapped Wallaroos centre Manu'a Moleka has been called up for Caslick, who could still feature as an injury replacement later in the tournament.
But, having a fighting fit Stewart back in the squad is a huge boost.
Three years on from making her Wallaroos debut with a singular appearance at the last World Cup in New Zealand, the Nelson Bay flyer is now an established lethal weapon on the international stage.
Stewart has quickly become Australia's all-time leading tryscorer and was named Wallaroos player of the year in 2024.
The NSW Waratahs star will be a focal point of the Australian attack as they face Samoa (August 23), United States (August 31) and hosts England (September 7) in the group phase with an eye on reaching the quarter-finals.
"I was such a young kid, probably a bit naive at the last World Cup," Stewart said.
"Rolling into this World Cup, I feel more evolved as a player and a bit more established and keen to rip into a few games.
"I've probably changed a bit, maturing and playing more footy and spending a bit more time in the international set-up.
"So it's kind of cool to go from being a naive 22-year-old debuting at a World Cup, which is crazy, but now I'm 25 and I feel at a different place in my career."
Stewart's World Cup dreams looked shattered in May when the barnstorming winger sustained a knee injury playing a Test against Fijiana in Fiji.
After two previous long-term injuries - the 25-year-old has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both knees - she feared the worst.
"Once you had a few serious injuries, you know when something's not right," Stewart told the Newcastle Herald before flying to England on Monday afternoon bound for the World Cup.
"I didn't sleep that whole night in Fiji. I just wanted to get home. I couldn't get a scan over there and I was fully convinced I'd done my ACL, and I wasn't going to the World Cup."
It turned out to be a meniscal injury, which was "more painful" but less serious than a torn ACL.
After three months on the sidelines, Stewart marked her return to action in Australia's 36-5 win over Wales at North Sydney Oval on August 1 with a try.
"They probably thought my rehab was going to be a bit quicker than what it was, but for me, I would rather go a little bit slower, miss a few more games and have it really right for the big event," Stewart said.
"I felt really good in that game."
Stewart produced a player-of-the-match performance as the Wallaroos beat Scotland 31-22 in South Africa in October last year to claim the WXV2 trophy and secure World Cup qualification.
They have played seven Tests, five on home soil, in the past three months to prepare for the tournament.
"[Last year's performance] was reassuring, considering we've only just started to go full-time," Stewart said.
"It shows the potential of where our program is at and it gives you more confidence; with a bit more time together and a bit more training, that's the sort of performances that we can produce.
"It's really nice leading into this knowing off the back of '24, we've had some time together. It's really simple stuff, just a little bit more training, connections here and there and being able to nut out a bit more classroom work as well.
"The program is still not centralised, but, with the amount of time that we're having in camps and dedicated to Test matches, it feels like we almost are."
Hunter products Layne Morgan, Kaitlan Leaney and Ashley Marsters are also in the Wallaroos' World Cup squad in England.
Australia's best result in seven Cup appearances is third.
Maya Stewart's timely return for the Rugby World Cup took on even greater importance on Monday as Wallaroos trump card Charlotte Caslick was ruled out due to an ankle injury.
The inclusion of Stewart, who made a rapid recovery from a knee injury to be part of Australia's World Cup squad, will somewhat temper the loss of the rugby sevens star.
Caslick paused her sevens career, making a full-time switch to the 15-a-side code this year to add clout to the Wallaroos' Cup charge.
The three-time Olympian was just starting to find her feet in the centres before being ruled out.
Uncapped Wallaroos centre Manu'a Moleka has been called up for Caslick, who could still feature as an injury replacement later in the tournament.
But, having a fighting fit Stewart back in the squad is a huge boost.
Three years on from making her Wallaroos debut with a singular appearance at the last World Cup in New Zealand, the Nelson Bay flyer is now an established lethal weapon on the international stage.
Stewart has quickly become Australia's all-time leading tryscorer and was named Wallaroos player of the year in 2024.
The NSW Waratahs star will be a focal point of the Australian attack as they face Samoa (August 23), United States (August 31) and hosts England (September 7) in the group phase with an eye on reaching the quarter-finals.
"I was such a young kid, probably a bit naive at the last World Cup," Stewart said.
"Rolling into this World Cup, I feel more evolved as a player and a bit more established and keen to rip into a few games.
"I've probably changed a bit, maturing and playing more footy and spending a bit more time in the international set-up.
"So it's kind of cool to go from being a naive 22-year-old debuting at a World Cup, which is crazy, but now I'm 25 and I feel at a different place in my career."
Stewart's World Cup dreams looked shattered in May when the barnstorming winger sustained a knee injury playing a Test against Fijiana in Fiji.
After two previous long-term injuries - the 25-year-old has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both knees - she feared the worst.
"Once you had a few serious injuries, you know when something's not right," Stewart told the Newcastle Herald before flying to England on Monday afternoon bound for the World Cup.
"I didn't sleep that whole night in Fiji. I just wanted to get home. I couldn't get a scan over there and I was fully convinced I'd done my ACL, and I wasn't going to the World Cup."
It turned out to be a meniscal injury, which was "more painful" but less serious than a torn ACL.
After three months on the sidelines, Stewart marked her return to action in Australia's 36-5 win over Wales at North Sydney Oval on August 1 with a try.
"They probably thought my rehab was going to be a bit quicker than what it was, but for me, I would rather go a little bit slower, miss a few more games and have it really right for the big event," Stewart said.
"I felt really good in that game."
Stewart produced a player-of-the-match performance as the Wallaroos beat Scotland 31-22 in South Africa in October last year to claim the WXV2 trophy and secure World Cup qualification.
They have played seven Tests, five on home soil, in the past three months to prepare for the tournament.
"[Last year's performance] was reassuring, considering we've only just started to go full-time," Stewart said.
"It shows the potential of where our program is at and it gives you more confidence; with a bit more time together and a bit more training, that's the sort of performances that we can produce.
"It's really nice leading into this knowing off the back of '24, we've had some time together. It's really simple stuff, just a little bit more training, connections here and there and being able to nut out a bit more classroom work as well.
"The program is still not centralised, but, with the amount of time that we're having in camps and dedicated to Test matches, it feels like we almost are."
Hunter products Layne Morgan, Kaitlan Leaney and Ashley Marsters are also in the Wallaroos' World Cup squad in England.
Australia's best result in seven Cup appearances is third.
