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SAINT ETIENNE – Max Jorgensen has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup ahead of their crunch Test against Wales on Sunday (Monday, 5am AEST) in Lyon, with intrigue surrounding his replacement after an 11th hour backflip.
The 19-year-old suffered a fractured fibula during the Wallabies’ Wednesday morning training session.
The Roar understands he suffered the injury after coming down from a high ball.
“Firstly we’re all feeling for Max. He’s a good young man who has a massive future ahead of him in the gold jersey,” Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said in a statement.
“He’s worked really hard to come back from a serious knee injury and was training exceptionally well to put his hand up for selection.
“We wish him a speedy and successful recovery and look forward to seeing him out on the field as soon as possible.”
Max Jorgensen is set to be ruled out of the Rugby World Cup, with the 19-year-old suffering an injury at the Wallabies’ training ground at Stade Roger Baudras on August 31, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jorgensen had been pushing hard for selection after recovering from a knee-injury suffered against the Crusaders in May.
It’s unlikely Jorgensen would have been in the Wallabies’ starting side to take on Wales in what shapes as a must-win clash to keep their World Cup knockout hopes alive following their 22-15 loss to Fiji. Australia have never failed to reach the final eight in the previous nine editions.
Max Jorgensen has been ruled out of the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Had he debuted throughout the campaign, he would have been the youngest Wallaby to appear at a World Cup.
Jones was set to turn to a like-for-like replacement in Dylan Pietsch but despite the winger being told to pack his bags and cross the English Channel, The Roar has been told the Wallabies boss has changed his mind and will reconsider Jorgensen’s replacement.
It’s an intriguing twist which highlights the Wallabies’ lack of clarity in thought and process.
With captain and second-rower Will Skelton (calf) and tight-head prop Taniela Tupou (hamstring) likely to be unavailable until the quarter-finals, Jones could look to strengthen his front-row stocks given the hiding the Wallabies copped at the scrum in the second half against Fiji.
But it could also pave the way for Jones to bring back some experience at either fly-half or fullback, with rookie fly-half Carter Gordon struggling against Fiji.
Dylan Pietsch (R), who featured in Eddie Jones’ Rugby Championship squad, was set to join the Wallabies in France after Max Jorgensen’s injury, but has been told to hold fire. (Photo credit: Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU Media)
James O’Connor won’t be on the selection radar.
The Roar can reveal O’Connor flew home to Australia after suffering a knee-injury for the Barbarians recently.
Bernard Foley is still in Europe, having last featured for Australia A during their 30-17 win over Portugal.
Discarded fullback Tom Wright has featured prominently for both Australia A and the Barbarians during their tour of the United Kingdom.
Wright was cut by Jones following the Wallabies’ defeats to South Africa and Argentina but has shown his attacking prowess over the past month since being one of more than a dozen players selected by the national boss to go on the Barbarians tour.
He isn’t the only one either, with Pietsch, who is currently with the Barbarians, starring in front of Jones for Australia A.
Jones doesn’t have to make a decision immediately. Indeed, South Africa waited several days before they announced fly-half Handre Pollard as hooker Malcolm Marx’s replacement.
Meanwhile, discarded Wallaby Len Ikitau has also been called into the Barbarians squad. It comes after injuries to O’Connor and fellow midfielder Hunter Paisami (concussion).
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.