The NSW Waratahs are playing down concerns about potentially losing another star back to the NRL as the Sydney Roosters eye off teenage boy wonder Max Jorgensen.
Having already enticed dynamic winger Mark Nawaqanitawase to switch codes next season, the Tricolours are reportedly prepared to offer fellow 2023 Wallabies World Cup squad member Jorgensen a massive two-year deal.
Nick Politis has denied tabling Jorgensen a $1.8 million contract, but the Roosters supremo and triple premiership-winning coach Trent Robinson have met with the 19-year-old to express their interest.
Photo: Supplied
The son of former Roosters and Penrith player Peter Jorgensen, the fullback-winger has played only 14 Super Rugby Pacific matches since debuting last year.
He is off contract at the end of 2024 but has spoken of his desire to face the touring British and Irish Lions next year.
A code swap seems more likely in 2026 or after Australia hosts the 2027 World Cup.
“Honestly, if you want go play ping pong, that’s up to you,” Waratahs prop Angus Bell said of the Jorgensen speculation on Thursday.
“All we can do is sort of just concentrate on what we can do as a team and, if someone makes a decision as a person, you wish them best of luck.
“So, no, it doesn’t really affect the team. It’s just outside noise.
“We’re all here this year. We’re all signed this year and we have 16 rounds to prove that we’re the best.
“So we’ll concentrate on this year.”
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Bell, earmarked as a future Wallabies captain, seemed more concerned about being relegated to the bench for Saturday night’s hosting of the Blues at Allianz Stadium.
“I always want to start,” he said before declining to offer any reason why he won’t be.
“I’ll let Darren explain that. You can hammer him about that.”
Coach Darren Coleman later shed light on the surprise selection call, saying Bell finishing the game was more important than starting.
“Belly is the premier prop in this club and will be a long-term franchise player for us,” Coleman said.
“He always plays the majority of minutes in our loosehead rotation and that will continue this week.
“The only change will be that it will be the back end of the game and not from the start.
“This is designed to provide us with an injection of impact as we look to finish the match strongly.”
Jorgensen won’t be playing at all this week after succumbing to a hip injury, with Nawaqanitawase shifting to fullback as cover.
Hard-edge flanker Lachie Swinton also limped out of training on Thursday with an apparent knee issue.
“It’s all good. He’s always tinny,” Bell said of Swinton.
“Swinno’s always good.”
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Haha. If it's that sad and pathetic why do you even read articles about it? Sounds like if you want to know what's sad and pathetic you should be getting a mirror.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Why do Mungo League lovers always come into Rugby sites conversations etc and bag our game ? You rarely see it the other way around . If you don’t like Rugby mate stop watching it and stick to your game .
STATUS QUO
Roar Rookie
Mate both codes have there faults . I am a MUNGO ???? I try and watch union but after 5 minutes just doesn't grab me too many kicks, bloody penalty kicks can decide games , yes when it does flow they can score some great try's, but for a faster pace of game and defence give me the MUNGO game anyday. And I live with two kiwis so I have to watch union ????
AppyShane
Roar Rookie
Dislike what? Super Rugby? Hardly alone. It’s pathetic and sad the numbers and has been for years. Get your head out of the sand. Edit: added the word sad to the word pathetic to describe the SR situation.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Coz they cant help themselves. Look at the LV game... Fighting in the stands, racial villification on the field.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
probably an error lol.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
He'd earn double in Japan or the UK compared to the NRL.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Ill wait till I se proof thanks. He isnt special in league and too many League players fail at Union. Youth and Union experience his only advantage over those who have failed.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
ranchise player just sounds like nails down a chalk board to me. I don't know why. Is it a yank thing?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Players haven't learned to defend better in league since the 90s champ...
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
If you dislike it that match why follow it?
Oscarthadog
Roar Rookie
This post is hyperbole, the way the mungos exaggerate the supposedly negative plays in Rugby, and ignore the boring metronomic style of league, defies logic. The last 5 minutes of action in the Reds, Chiefs game, is next level, they know it, and has more unpredictability than the history of Rugby league games.
mjseesred
Roar Rookie
I wish Belly would of led off the comments on yesterday's latest chicken little piece. 400 comments, probably 20000 words, adding to RSI. If it started with future Wallaby leader says "go play ping pong if you want" that's next year. We are focussing on the rugby this year. What a sage, what a message
Ouch
Roar Rookie
as opposed to 1 tackle, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, penalty, kick, scrum, scrum reset, scrum reset, penalty, kick et al.........and rugby thinks its the highbrow game :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
More boring speculation
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Yes although to be honest the northern hemisphere enforced kicking rules have turned rugby into much the same thing.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Suaalii's a different level of talent from Max J.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Maybe he was talking about table tennis. ie. It doesn’t matter if they are off to table tennis, darts, golf, AFL, NRL or anywhere else. Contracted this year and going to have a crack. If another choice is made later, then all the best.
Eyecancu
Roar Rookie
Yeah he's better off taking the easier path in the easier comps. Probably get snapped in half in league. Keep dreaming M8 :laughing:
AppyShane
Roar Rookie
Ping pong might draw a bigger crowd. Wheel out the ping pong table when a scrum reset-athon gets going. It just might save SR. Ping pong decides the next Bledisloe?