Wallaroos wing Maya Stewart will make her first appearance for the Waratahs this season in Saturday’s Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s semi-final against the Western Force.
Stewart, 26, missed the regular season matches due to an ankle injury, but returns to the starting line-up as one of three changes from the 26-19 defeat to the Reds in Round 5 at Leichhardt Oval. Faliki Pohiva comes into the side at tighthead prop while Australia Sevens player Tia Hinds will make her Waratahs debut at scrum-half.
The semi-final will form part of a historic double header with the Wallabies’ Test against Italy in the Nations Championship at HBF Park on Saturday.
And Waratahs head coach Mike Ruthven was excited at the prospect of being a part of the double header and was delighted to see Stewart, Hinds and Caitlyn Halse added to the team, with the latter also returning from injury on the bench.
“We welcome the return of Maya Stewart and Caitlyn Halse and the Waratahs debut of Tia Hinds this week. To have their experience join the group at a critical time is incredibly valuable for the team,” Ruthven said.
“The return of these players has allowed us to look at a different picture in the backline which we are really excited about.
“The opportunity to play this game as part of a double header with the Wallabies is exciting for the players and they are looking forward to putting on a strong performance.
“As a group we have had a really productive two weeks and have strong confidence in how we want to attack this game. Everyone is looking forward to the opportunity in front of us.”
Pohiva, who swaps with Bridie O’Gorman on the bench, forms an all-Wallaroo front-row alongside Britt Merlo and Brianna Hoy.
The partnership of Leilani Nathan and Kaitlan Leaney continues in the second-row, having started every game so far this season.
Ruby Anderson retains her place at blindside flanker, with captain Emily Chancellor and Piper Duck forming the remainder of the back-row. Chancellor will become the fifth most-capped Waratah in Super Rugby Women’s with 31 caps.
There is a bit of movement in the backs, with Hinds making her debut at scrum-half and Waiaria Ellis shifting from full-back to fly-half.
Dutch back Pleuni Kievit moves from fly-half to outside centre, with Rosie Ferguson keeping her place at inside centre.
Amelia Whitaker will line up on the left wing, having mostly appeared on the right this season, while Desiree Miller also moves to full-back, meaning Stewart will take to the field on the right wing for the first time this season.
On the bench, O’Gorman will become our second-most capped player should she take to the field, while the aforementioned 19-year-old Halse is named in the squad for the first time since Round 1.
Western Force Women v NSW Waratahs Women
Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s semi-final, 4PM kick-off AEST, live on Stan Sport
HBF Park, 310 Pier St, Perth, WA 6000
Starting XV:
- Brianna Hoy
- Brittany Merlo
- Faliki Pohiva
- Leilani Nathan
- Kaitlan Leaney (vc)
- Ruby Anderson
- Emily Chancellor ©
- Piper Duck
- Tia Hinds
- Waiaria Ellis
- Amelia Whitaker
- Rosie Ferguson
- Pleuni Kievit
- Maya Stewart
- Desiree Miller (vc)
Replacements:
16. Nancy Volkman
17. Emily Robinson
18. Bridie O’Gorman
19. Grace Gillies
20. Nicole Nathan
21. Edie Burke
22. Lusiana Vesikula
23. Caitlyn Halse
