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).
TheTruth08
Roar Rookie
not to sure whether it is Hoops (hoping it is true) he deserves the farewell after so many years of services! But yes, strange he hasnt been on lately
Adam (Though An Imposter)
Roar Rookie
Well, you're definitely right about Tom Hooper and McReight. I've also not seen Michael Hooper on Stan sport lately but I haven't watched every program.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
"Choir full of Boyos are warming up" :stoked: Your user name :thumbup: :laughing: . Fully agree btw.
ScottD
Roar Guru
The discussion is robust but we all love rugby. Keep contributing, please.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Probably right.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
So commenting is not explaining one’s views but writing articles is. In that case I’ve explained myself more times than you.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
You’re right. I’m an imbecile.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah mate I’m a baller :laughing: :laughing:
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Scott, she is Russian and sarcasm and jokes in the English language, some times miss the mark. Here is hoping! I took her to watch her first RWC game on TV at a bar in 2003. She actually thought that every Aussie, Englishman, Welshman and Irishman in the bar were crazy. She was only right on one point re crazy, and that was the Kiwis!!
ScottD
Roar Guru
Hopefully she isn't on Roar!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
KTHK - debatable!!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Premium economy TWAS. Stepping up I see!!! :laughing: :laughing: :thumbup: Enjoy the games or time in France!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Not certain whether to question the "soft"? :laughing: :laughing: :thumbup: But I will stick by my "travel experience". Maybe because with work I travel without the "missus" and no ear bashing!!! :laughing:
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
that was a disgraceful cleanout and shouldve been looked at
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Serevi? :shocked:
Ray L
Roar Rookie
But Pietsch is another Randwick player, so that says it all doesn't it.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
haha yre not wrong... i was just trying to keep it short in relation to tom wright..
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Good point.
John Mendoza
Roar Rookie
“We aren’t going (to France) for the croissants” Eddie boasted. Well turns out he was right. Wallabies won’t have been there long enough for the patisserie to bake them. The French Fiasco.
John Mendoza
Roar Rookie
The French Fiasco just gets better by the day. Australian rugby has a very bad habit of throwing young talent into test arenas way too early. Cooper, O’Connor, … Jorgensen just the latest. Great promise, thrown into lions den, then never reach their potential.