Whether or not it will prove his selection headache to have, Darren Coleman has promised there will be a place in the backline for all of Max Jorgensen and the two big name signings arriving next season.
Jorgensen announced he would be signing a two-year extension with the club this week, heading off interest from NRL and the Sydney Roosters. He will share a dressingroom with Wallabies fullback Andrew Kellaway and Roosters recruit Joseph Suaalii, leaving a potential log jam for jerseys.
Jorgensen’s decision to stay – which he says was strongly fuelled by a desire to wear a gold jersey for the Wallabies after coming close during the ill-fated World Cup – was heralded by Coleman, although there are doubts he will get to continue past this season to see the speedy trio in action together.
“I’ve spoken to both Max and Kels on how that would play out and they’ve got to have some trust that we’ll do what’s best for the team,” Coleman said. “There’s definitely going to be spot for all three of them in the backline, we’ve just got to get them all under the one roof and work with them and figure out what best suits the team.
“It’s an old cliche but sometimes the numbering on the back isn’t super important, it’s how you combine together and work together. Max will learn a lot off Andrew, as well Joseph. Andrew’s probably the senior statesman of that group, but we’re seen with Kels he can easily play 13, wing and do well there, as well as 15, so we’ll that form and time be the decider in that.”
Jorgensen said the competition was “awesome. Obviously they’re two great players, Joey Suaalii coming from league, that’s massive, Kels as well, to play alongside those two it’ll be unreal.
“Hopefully there’s room in the backline for all of us, so we will play together and just really keen to crack on with those boys will be good.”
Jorgensen remains a work in progress, but one union was eager to keep in the game.
“The biggest strides we’ve seen Max make is around his game knowledge. Athletically he’ll continue to grow, he’s a great athlete,” said Coleman.
“He’s got to keep working on his game knowledge, his skill set. What’s pleased me the most is his ability to push through adversity. He had a pretty wretched run from the Crusaders game on onwards last year with a knee, shoulder, ankle … he hasn’t been clean sailing.
“Like everyone’s talking about him being the wonder boy, he’s been in some dark holes in the last eight to 12 months and he’s showed a great amount of resilience, dedication, a higher pain threshold to push through and get back on the field.”
One of those dark holes came in France, where Jorgensen was close to a first Test call up only to suffer an injury that sent him home prematurely.
He acknowledged the disappointment of France had “100 precent” contributed to his decision to stick with union.
“Obviously I want to put on that gold jersey for the first time, so to not put it on there was really devastating but obviously injuries happen. that’s what I aspire to do, to hopefully put on that gold jersey.”
That time will come soon rather than later due. Coleman chose one word to sum him up.
“Unflappable. An interesting thing is he’s sort of exceeded our expectations at every step,” said Coleman.
“When we originally recruited him, and where I thought he might have got to from watching him play school footy, he backed his ability and he got there.
“It started on night one when he scored off his first touch and he scored two in his first game. That’s probably one of the things that’s made himself appealing to the Wallabies is he’s unflappable. He makes mistakes like anyone else, but he just gets back on with the job. He’s overcome adversity with injury, he stayed on point. Not everything’s been easy for him. We’re pumped to have him.
“A good cheer came up. Maxi broke the internet last night when it was all announced.”
The feeling is apparently mutual.
“Obviously I love this club. Love the coaching staff, love the boys here,” said Jorgensen. “It’s pretty hard to leave an environment like this, so I’m really excited for the next two years ahead and just really happy with my decision.”
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Kellaway is a better fullback AND better winger.
NotKev
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that info !! Good abd bad points then, possibly more bad
scubasteve
Roar Rookie
RA want to distribute the players amongst teams through centralised coaching and contracts. Trading and draft allows for that and helps teams develop jnrs as they can become a commodity that is used increase dollars into a club. So someone like Rebels or Force can bring up good juniors then trade them out to suit their needs. Also drafts allows for lower performing teams to get picks. Similar to the NBA lottery. The issue I have with lottery is it does encourage teams to tank if it means they can pick up a number one draft. The other issue with draft/trade is some players want to be close to family which is important in Poly cultures and for others with support networks.
NotKev
Roar Rookie
trading and draft .... thats a solid idea that, sure would get more interesting !!!
HittingGapsWithNoGas
Roar Rookie
Yeah RA are in a spot where they’re vulnerable to the NRL being able to set the market to pump up prices and gut punch an already financially ailing RA. Not the player’s fault. RA could help themselves by letting the general public know there’s a game on instead of restricting advertising to Waratahs social media and behind the Stan paywall. Driving in last night there were hundreds of telegraph posters telling me about Sydney FC playing tonight – something I never would’ve known without that being there. The crowd was poor. RA needs to get off their backsides and advertise so they can start pumping their revenue and paying for talent sustainably.
scubasteve
Roar Rookie
Nah bruv. It's technically a franchise. License and all. It's referred as a club. And you make a solid argument that it is a state team made up of players that live without the rules that typically govern state teams as seen in other codes. Ie Taniela identifies as a qldr despite playing and living in another state. Ie no eligibility laws. He could live in Qld and still play for rebels. MJ can call it whatever the frig he wants as long as he is playing for Tahs. Regarding wingers. All teams need depth so Riley and Pietch can Interchange 11. 14 will be sualli and MJ 15. 13 Kellaway. I'm more interested in the 9 battle and ten. Tahs have three excellent tens. Bowen, Edmend and Harrison. I reckon Australia could benefit from a trading and draft system.
Frankly
Roar Rookie
It's important to talk about these critical topics. :silly: :silly:
Cec
Roar Rookie
Good point wozza…but financial metrics has a final say in that decision given RA’s current line of credit & financial circumstances.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Darren Coleman has promised there will be a place in the backline for all of Max Jorgensen and the two big name signings arriving next season. So where is Dylan Pietsch and Tristan Reilly off to next season? :laughing:
Bingo
Roar Rookie
Jorgenson wouldn’t make the QLD Club XV so why are the Wallabies contracting him?
Guess
Roar Rookie
Right all overpaid players should play for the tahs. Even if it means there's no money for the rest of the squad :laughing: Personally I can't stand that overpaid and overweight bum playing for rebs even. He should go os for advanced weight loss programs.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Paul D just mooted picking up TT for the Tahs too :laughing:
Guess
Roar Rookie
No
Jacko
Roar Rookie
What is paid is irrelevant. He is worth the 600K im hearing so I see no issue. Why play the game of offering unders and hoping he takes it. Lock it up and the deal is done. Now he is locked in thru to the WC. Awesome.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Can RA/Tahs really afford Suali, now Jorgo then Kellaway?
Guess
Roar Rookie
Right they first make bad purchases then desperately try to find a spot for them in wallabies like vunivalu. Totally backwards.
Guess
Roar Rookie
What I don't understand is him claiming his dream is playing for the wallabies at WC and yet Aru is willing to pay more for his dream. Makes no sense
Phil
Roar Rookie
Horan repeats the same guys over and over.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Izzy is great in making yards but he rarely passes it…. Horan as a commentator is very biased to certain players and poor old Sonny bro …. Obviously only employed to appeal to a certain demographic…. I thought Matt To’omua was great on the few occasions he was used…
cs
Roar Guru
Bloody funny thread.