Wallaroos record-holder Stewart, 20s star Watters to make SVNS debuts in Singapore

Mon, Jan 26, 2026, 6:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos all-time leading scorer Maya Stewart and Australia U20 star Cooper Watters are both in line for their Sevens debut in Singapore.

Stewart, the two-time World Cup winger, is one of five changes to the squad that took out the Cape Town title last month.

Watch the 2025-2026 HSBC SVNS Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Sidney Taylor will make her return for the first time since the Paris Olympics after an ACL injury.

She is joined by Tia Hinds, Sariah Paki and Kaitlin Shave, with the Aussies set to face Fiji, Japan and the USA in pool action.

"We have a healthy program full of in form and available players and our performance staff have prepared and treated players to optimise availability," coach Tim Walsh said.

“We have strong momentum coming off a satisfying tournament win in Cape Town and aim to continue our growth while staying on course with our short, medium and long-term strategy.

“The inclusion of debutant Maya Stewart provides finishing expertise and a mature ruthless edge. Debuts are earned and very special for the whole team.

“We will approach Singapore in moments with a staunch focus on our immediate opposition before switching attention to Perth the following week.”

For the Men, Watters becomes the latest new face blooded by coach Liam Barry after pulling on the gold jersey last year at the World Junior Rugby Championship.

He replaces 20s teammate Beau Morrison (knee), with Australia set to face Argentina, France and New Zealand.

“It’s exciting to see a young group grow from their Dubai and Cape Town experience," Barry said.

“We’ve had a longer turnaround ahead of this round and have been able to send some of our guys to the Coral Coast 7s earlier this month in Fiji which was a great opportunity for them.

“Cooper Watters is a hard-working young man who has come through the under 20s system and could make his debut this weekend which is a fantastic opportunity for him to travel with the group.

“The players have been training really well, we just want to see some consistency in our games and growth overall.”

Australia Women’s Sevens team for 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS Singapore:

3. Faith Nathan – 34 events

5. Teagan Levi – 27 events

6. Madison Ashby (c) – 27 events

8. Kaitlin Shave – 9 events

9. Tia Hinds – 21 events

10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 19 events

12. Maddison Levi – 28 events

13. Heidi Dennis – 8 events

21. Maya Stewart* - debut

22. Bienne Terita – 18 events

23. Ruby Nicholas – 12 events

65. Sariah Paki – 36 events

98. Sidney Taylor – 4 events

Australia Men's Sevens team for 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS Singapore:

1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 61 events

2. Ben Dowling – 22 events

3. James McGregor – 4 events

4. Dietrich Roache – 30 events

7. Josh Turner – 39 events

9. Will Cartwright – 2 events

10. Ben Dalton – 11 events

13. Jayden Blake – 8 events

21. Cooper Watters* – debut

23. Aden Ekanayake – 9 events

24. Ethan McFarland – 2 events

33. Harry Wilson – 2 events

77. Wallace Charlie – 3 events

*Denotes possible debut

Players unavailable for selection

Charlotte Caslick (calf) – Vancouver 7s

Mackenzie Davis (quad) – Perth 7s

Kahli Henwood (ankle) – Perth 7s

Demi Kennewell (knee) – Vancouver 7s

Michael Icely (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s

Maurice Longbottom (hamstring) – Vancouver 7s

Beau Morrison (knee) – TBC

Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season

James Turner (foot) – Vancouver 7s

HSBC SVNS WORLD SERIES SINGAPORE FIXTURES

AUSTRALIA WOMEN

Saturday, January 31: Australia v Fiji (2:26pm AEDT)

Saturday, January 31: Australia v Japan (5:52pm AEDT)

Saturday, January 31: Australia v USA (9:18pm AEDT)

AUSTRALIA MEN

Saturday, January 31: Australia v Argentina (3:10pm AEDT)

Saturday, January 31: Australia v France (6:14pm AEDT)

Saturday, January 31: Australia v New Zealand (9:40pm AEDT)

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