- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Before Max Jorgensen put pen to paper to join rugby, the schoolboy sensation’s father, Peter, had a conversation with then-England coach Eddie Jones about the XV-player game.
Jorgensen senior, who played two Tests for the Wallabies against Scotland in 1992 before a cross-code switch where he played for Eastern Suburbs and Penrith, was doing his due diligence about Australian rugby.
Intent on getting another voice, he picked up the phone and spoke to Jones – a former teammate at Randwick. Jones confirmed the conversation when approached by The Roar.
The conversation likely played a contributing factor in Jorgensen opting to choose rugby over the NRL, with the talented back hotly pursued by the Roosters particularly.
New Australian coach Eddie Jones spoke with Max Jorgensen’s father ahead of the schoolboy sensation signing a deal with the Waratahs. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
Soon after Rugby Australia celebrated the little win.
“It’s always great for us to be able to keep the most exciting prospects in the game of rugby,” RA CEO Andy Marinos said after the teenager signed a two-year deal with the Waratahs.
“Max has shown himself to be one of those special young players in schoolboy rugby, and we are thrilled that he agreed to continue his blossoming career in the game with the NSW Waratahs.”
Soon after, Jorgensen, 18, was taken as a development player on the Australia A tour of Japan.
He impressed several current Wallabies, The Roar understands.
Max Jorgensen could feature in Super Rugby in 2023. Photo: Supplied
Once he returned to the Waratahs, he continued to shine and left many blown away by his silky running lines and ability to create something out of nothing.
Even before Kurtley Beale’s alleged off-field incident, which has led to the 34-year-old being stood down indefinitely, the Waratahs recognised this was a star in the making.
But they also realised the need to nurture the youngster’s development and were intent on giving him the time to grow before throwing him into the deep end.
Nor could they either, with Jorgensen not officially a part of the Waratahs’ senior list and instead in their Elite Development Squad.
It meant Jorgensen could only join the squad throughout the season if another player was ruled out through injury or left the franchise.
Beale’s court case, which will next be heard on March 22, could open the door for Jorgensen to be promoted to the Waratahs squad.
He is expected to feature in some of the Waratahs’ trial matches, beginning against the Brumbies in Griffith on February 4.
While Jorgensen looks a natural fullback, the Waratahs have other options to wear the No.15 jersey too.
Ben Donaldson, the last man to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey, is another option to shift to the back.
By doing so, it would allow the Waratahs to play Tane Edmed, whom NSW rate highly, in the starting side.
It would also allow the Waratahs to leave their athletic and rising wingers Mark Nawaqanitawase and Dylan Pietsch out wide.
Alternatively, the Waratahs could also start dual playmakers at fly-half and inside centre with Edmed playing outside Donaldson, and Lalakai Foketi at outside centre. Yet, that would still leave vacant the No.15 jersey.
Will Harrison, who like Donaldson can play at fly-half and fullback, is also making good progress from his devastating knee injury and is set to return by the end of March.
Fellow rising talents, playmaker Jack Bowen, and outside back Ben Dowling and utility back Harry Wilson are also impressing at training.
Meanwhile, Izaia Perese is racing the clock to be fit for the start of the season while Joey Walton suffered a little setback and is unlikely to play in the opening trial matches too.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.