Wallaroos' try-scoring phenom named in stacked Australia A Sevens squad

Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart has been named in a star-studded Australia A Sevens Women’s squad for the International Invitational in Dubai this weekend. Olympians and HSBC SVNS Series rising stars will also compete on November 29-30.

Stewart is the equal-leading top try-scorer in Wallaroos history, having started every Test for the national team at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Teenager Waiaria Ellis was also selected in that Wallaroos squad, and features in this sevens side as well.

Kahli Henwood headlines a quintet of 2024/25 Australia Sevens Women’s regulars, who missed selection for the opening round of the new season. Bridget Clark, Kiiahla Duff, Piper Simons and Sidney Taylor will represent Australia A.

Henwood hadn’t debuted on the SVNS Series before representing Australia at the Paris Olympics, brought into the playing squad after Kaitlan Shave suffered a devastating injury in the team’s opening match.

Rhani Hagan, Zoe Waters and Emmisyn Wynard have been rewarded after impressing for Queensland during their Next Gen Series win in September. Ania Cruickshank and Amelia Whitaker also get their chance after standing out for New South Wales.

“The International Invitational in Dubai is an important pathway for players preparing to take the next step into the national squad,” coach Shannon Parry said in a statement.

“The amount of depth created in the Australian squad in recent years means we’ll have plenty of World Series experience for the tournament and those players will also get valuable game time.

“Most of the younger players have come through the Next Gen Sevens program this year and are stars of the future while Maya Stewart gets a chance in Sevens.

“It’s going to be a challenging tournament but we are looking forward to the opportunity to play in Dubai and against other international teams.”

Australia A have been drawn in Pool A along with Belgium, Kazakhstan, Brazil and China on Saturday, with finals on Sunday.

The SVNS 1 season also gets underway over the same weekend in Dubai.

Australia A Sevens Women’s squad 

• Bridget Clark – NSW
• Anaia Cruickshank – NSW
• Kiiahla Duff – NSW
• Waiaria Ellis – NSW
• Rhani Hagan – Queensland
• Kahli Henwood – Queensland
• Piper Simons – NSW
• Maya Stewart – NSW
• Sidney Taylor – Queensland
• Zoe Waters – Queensland
• Amelia Whitaker – NSW
• Emmisyn Wynyard – Queensland

Australia A Sevens Women’s schedule

• Saturday, November 29: Australia v Belgium (12:40am AEDT)
• Saturday, November 29: Australia v Kazakhstan (2:40am AEDT)
• Saturday, November 29: Australia v China (10:40pm AEDT)
• Sunday, November 30: Australia v Brazil (12:20am AEDT)