Maya Stewart (born 14 March 2000) is an Australian rugby union player. She plays for the Wallaroos internationally and for the NSW Waratahs in the Super W competition.[1] She represented Australia at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
| Date of birth | 14 March 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Waratah, NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | San Clemente High School, St Francis Xavier's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early career
editStewart played several sports as a teen, including league and touch.[2] She began her rugby career with the Nelson Bay Gropers, before moving to the Hunter Wildfires and then eventually making her way to the Waratahs in the Super W competition.[2]
Rugby career
edit2021–22
editIn 2021, Stewart scored four tries against the Queensland Reds in the opening game of the Super W season.[3] Her year was shortened after she sustained an ACL injury for the second time.[3]
Stewart suffered another ACL injury in a pre-season training ahead of the 2022 Super W campaign and was ruled out for the season.[1][2] After her recovery, she was named in the Wallaroos squad to face the Black Ferns for the 2022 Laurie O'Reilly Cup, although she did not get to play in any matches.[1][4]
Despite her setbacks, Stewart was impressive during the Wallaroos camp and made the squad for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.[5][6]
2023–24
editStewart started 2023 with a brace of tries, she helped her side win against Fiji on 20 May at the Allianz Stadium.[7][8] In 2024, She scored in her sixth straight Test, and broke Tricia Brown’s all-time record of 13 career tries.[9][10]
She was crowned Wallaroos Player of the Year at the Rugby Australia Awards in October 2024.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Maya Stewart, Emily Robinson, and Asatasi Lafai named in Wallaroos squad to face Black Ferns". nsw.rugby. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ a b c Watts, Ellie-Marie (9 August 2022). "Nelson Bay rugby union player Maya Stewart named in Wallaroos O'Reilly Cup squad to face New Zealand". Port Stephens Examiner. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ a b Williamson, Nathan (4 October 2022). "Maya Stewart's incredible journey to the Rugby World Cup". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (2 August 2022). "Wallaroos confirm squad for O'Reilly Cup". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Gardiner, James (7 September 2022). "Comeback kid in Wallaroos squad for Cup". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ Smith, Sam (7 September 2022). "Wallaroos announce squad for next month's World Cup". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (20 May 2023). "Wallaroos send off Parry in style with Fijiana victory". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Chapman, Simon (21 May 2023). "Lights go out on Wallaroos skipper's 'emotional' farewell". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (9 October 2024). "'I didn't really have any idea about it': Stewart reflects on 'pretty cool' try-scoring record". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Worthington, Sam (8 October 2024). "Rare title looms for record breaking Aussie flyer". Nine. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (30 October 2024). "Stewart caps historic year with Wallaroos Player of the Year award". wallaroos.rugby. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Worthington, Sam (30 October 2024). "'Blessed and grateful': Wallaby joins exclusive club". Nine. Retrieved 31 October 2024.