Wallaroos star on the ‘massive opportunity’ in historic quadruple-header

Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart believes Australian rugby has a golden opportunity to win fans over before two Rugby World Cups on home soil, with a first-of-its-kind quadruple-header in Sydney featuring a WXV Global Series clash with Scotland.

Stewart missed three Wallaroos Tests in the Northern Hemisphere last month, but the prolific try-scorer has overcome injury in time for the final two matches of the season. The Wallaroos round out their campaign against Scotland, who they defeated 30-10 in Edinburgh on September 27.

Sydney’s Accor Stadium will host the next match between the sides, who will then make their way to Canberra for another Test on October 23. But the upcoming clash in the Harbour City is historic, with Australia’s four Teams in Gold all in action this weekend.

Both the Australian women’s and men’s sides will take the field, before the Wallabies face the All Blacks in the second Bledisloe Cup Test of 2026. Those two sides will meet at the same venue during Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, having both been drawn in Pool A.

The Men’s Rugby World Cup kicks off an exciting period for the sport Down Under, with the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup also heading to Australia. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics right around the corner as well, this weekend’s slate will showcase the nation’s best rugby talent.

“Having the Wallabies there and obviously the Wallaroos as well, we’ve never done that before,” Stewart told reporters.

“If you’re a fan of sevens and you’re slightly interested in 15s, it may entice you to come and watch a bit more.

“It’s a massive opportunity leading into ’27, ’28, ’29 to win some Aussie fans over and probably hold them with a couple of wins would be amazing on home soil for the organisation.”

The Wallaroos are looking to build after a series of strong performances up north, having led reigning Rugby World Cup winners the Red Roses on September 13. England went on to win that match 48-15, but the Aussies enjoyed some promising moments.

France defeated the Australians a week later in Aix-en-Provence, with the visitors falling just short of victory 29-26. But the Wallaroos bounced back at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, overcoming Scotland 30-10 on September 27.

“Definitely exciting. Bummed to have missed the tour over to Europe. The girls being over in the south of France, watching those Instagram stories, I was pretty jealous,” Stewart said.

“Stoked to be back and here in Sydney at home.

“Europe was a really great opportunity for us and probably some of the younger girls to get dig their feet in a bit and experience some Test rugby,” she added.

“Tests at home, they’re different and they’re the ones that you really want to win… we want to win over fan bases. We want to hold a strong fan base as we roll into ’28, ’29, we need the backing, and obviously ’27 as well.”