Sam Stewart (rugby league)

Samuel Weka Stewart is a former rugby league footballer who represented his country. He played for the Newcastle Knights when they first started competing in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership and became the Knights first captain.

Stewart was a Wellington Rugby League player for the Randwick club. He made his senior and Wellington debut's in 1981 and was a Junior Kiwi that same year. On the Junior Kiwis 1981 tour of Australia Stewart signed a contract to play with the North Sydney Bears however later opted to instead pursue his career in the New Zealand Police. He was the New Zealand Police Triathlon champion in 1985 and was named the Police Sportsman of the year in 1987.

Stewart was named one of the Wellington Rugby League's players of the year in 1983. He toured Great Britain and France for the New Zealand Universities side. In 1984 Stewart was first selected for the Central Districts team. Stewart was part of Randwick's hat trick of Wellington Rugby League premierships between 1983 and 1985.

Stewart then crossed the Tasman, playing for the Newcastle Knights from 1988 until 1992 and captained their inaugural side. After 81 matches, Stewart was made the Knights first life member.

In 1993 Stewart travelled to England and joined the London Crusaders before spending time with Hull Kingston Rovers.

Stewart played for the Wellington and New Zealand Māori sides, captaining the Māori at the 1986 Pacific Cup.