The aim of any rugby player is to be selected for the Wallabies and for 26 years old Hamish Stewart that dream became reality when he ran onto the field and lined up against the Pumas in Argentina on August 31st.
Your first game representing your country is naturally a proud moment but made even more special for Hamish, as the Wallabies snatched a last minute win over the Pumas.
Wallaby wins have been hard to come by over the last few years and Hamish said the memory of the game is “one I’ll take to the grave.”
“It’s a bit of a surreal moment, I’ve been trying to get it for a couple of years now and to achieve it, it’s one for the memory books,” Stewart told reporters post-game.
Hamish backed up his debut game with another run on match on Saturday against the Pumas which saw the Wallabies well and truly trounced, losing 67 – 27.
Starting his Rugby career at Toowoomba Grammar School in Grade One and coached by teacher Nicole Humphries, Hamish found his passion for the game and eventually played for the school’s XV in Years 11 and 12.
The Brisbane Broncos offered Hamish a contract but he chose to stay with Rugby and has played 72 games for the Queensland Reds and 28 caps with the Western Force.
Rugby talent runs through the Stewart family as brother Alistair was selected in the Australian Junior Rugby team but chose to stay on the family’s Oaklands Thoroughbred Horse Stud at Umbiram where he has now taken over management from father Neville.
After some lean years, Wallabies tragics will be hopeful the fortunes of the team will be on the rise and the rugby career of Hamish Stewart might well be on the same upward trajectory.
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 12 September 2024.