Stewart back to give ‘Tahs massive boost ahead of semi

Will Nicholas | July 15, 2026

Maya Stewart is back from injury to make a timely return for the NSW Waratahs, who are chasing an unprecedented seventh Super Rugby Women’s title.

One of Australian rugby’s most prolific female try-scorers, the veteran Wallaroo will take the field for the first time this season after recovering from an ankle injury.

Stewart has been named to start in Saturday’s do-or-die semi-final  against the Western Force in Perth.

The 26-year-old flyer is tied at the top of the Wallaroos’ all-time try-scorer list (16) with fellow Waratah Desiree Miller, who shifts to fullback for the crunch Force clash.

Also named is two-time Rugby Sevens Olympian Tia Hinds, who will debut for the Waratahs at scrum-half after migrating to the 15-player code in 2025.

“The return of these players has allowed us to look at a different picture in the back line which we are really excited about,” Waratahs head coach Mike Ruthven said.

“As a group we have had a really productive two weeks and have strong confidence in how we want to attack this game.”

The team’s starting line-up is stacked with internationals as 11-time Test match prop Faliki Pohiva comes off the bench to join Wallaroos Britt Merlo and Brianna Hoy in the front row.

Teenage outside back Caitlyn Halse also returns to the squad from a lengthy injury to round out the changes to NSW’s roster.

The six-time premiers and reigning champions are third on the ladder (2-2) behind the second-placed Force and table-topping Fijian Drua, who have three wins apiece.

They take on a drastically reconfigured Western Force, who will start two debutants – Zoe Elliott and Atawhai Hotene – and make four more changes to their line-up in a bid to reach the competition’s grand final for the first time.

Their last encounter with the Tahs saw them keep their composure after letting through a slew of early tries to finish 28-21.

The semi-final at Perth’s HBF Park is a curtain-raiser to the Wallabies- Italy Nations Championship clash.

The Drua, by contrast, have made just one change to their bench for their showdown with the Queensland Reds, who will field the same starting side that upset NSW in the final round to book their spot in the top four.