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Max Jorgensen was touted as one of the best young talents at the Waratahs and, indeed, Australian rugby since Kurtley Beale coming out of school.
A month into his burgeoning career, the 18-year-old sensation has created history by becoming the first Waratahs player to score tries in his opening three games.
The son of former Wallabies back, Peter, Jorgensen achieved the feat by remarkably touching down midway through the opening half against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The NSW Waratahs Women take on Force and the Tahs men battle the Chiefs in an enthralling double-header on Friday, 24 March at Allianz Stadium.
Max Jorgensen scored his fourth try in three matches to start his Super Rugby career. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Jorgensen finished spectacularly and in close questers by bursting onto a superb offload by a falling Taleni Seu just short of the home side’s five metre line and then showing the speed, strength and awareness of the sideline by somehow touching down despite having one defender on him and another two inside.
Sky Sport commentator Grant Nesbitt responded “wow” after on-field referee Brendon Pickerill told his Television Match Official that he had an “on-field try”.
“He would have done remarkably well if he’s kept his feet and the rest of his body from going into touch. I don’t think the grounding’s a problem,” former All Blacks captain Justin Marshall said.
“I think remarkably well he has done.
“That’s a try all day long. That just shows you determination. Me oh my I have enjoyed that.”
Nesbitt added: “What a finish this is.”
The try was Jorgensen’s fourth in three matches, having missed the Waratahs’ 34-27 defeat to the Rebels in Melbourne last weekend.
While the teenage sensation scored two brilliant tries on debut in Sydney against the Brumbies, his effort in close quarters against the Hurricanes was perhaps the best.
The fullback, who played his opening two matches on the left-wing, had no right to score but did the unthinkable by scoring.
Jorgensen rejected advances from the NRL, including his father’s former club the Roosters, to sign with the Waratahs and Australian rugby.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones spoke with Jorgensen’s father, who played alongside the Test coach at Randwick, before the schoolboy signed with Rugby Australia.
Jones included Jorgensen in his starting side during a “Draft One” April training camp squad on the final day of Super Round in Melbourne earlier this month.
The flyer is considered a strong chance to make the Wallabies’ training squad next month and shapes as a genuine bolter for the World Cup.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman once again was blown away by Jorgensen’s ability to not just hold his own on a windy evening in Wellington but thrive.
“He’s a star,” Coleman said.
“They were really hard conditions. I don’t know if they came up on the TV, but there were gusts of up to 100km/h and, inside that circular stadium, you saw some of the uncoordinated looking catch attempts because that ball was just swinging around late.
“He had a bit of work to do for that try, didn’t he? When it first happened, I didn’t think he was anywhere near it, but there’s just guys who can find a tryline and he’s deceptively strong for a little guy.
“We’ve got to make sure we protect him and don’t overburden him, but he’s a star in the making.”
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.