Darren Coleman is set to continue his back three changes, with Max Jorgensen to miss the Waratahs’ tricky assignment at the Cake Tin in Wellington against the top-of-the-table Hurricanes.
The Roar understands Jorgensen, 19, will be left out of the match and play for Randwick in the Shute Shield, with another Galloping Greens outside back Dylan Pietsch set to return.
He won’t be the only change to the side either, with Will Harrison expected to be promoted ahead of Tane Edmed at fly-half and Izaia Perese to return for Joey Walton, who was on crutches after suffering an injury during the Waratahs’ 38-22 loss to the Chiefs last Friday in Sydney.
Coleman is set to go hunting in the Shute Shield to call up some more players to help patch up their ever-mounting injury toll up front.
But it’s Jorgensen’s exclusion that will set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Max Jorgensen is set to be left out of the Waratahs’ side for their clash against the Hurricanes while Will Harrison is likely to start ahead of Tane Edmed at fly-half. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It’s the third straight week Coleman has made changes to his back three, with Mark Nawaqanitawase, Pietsch and now Jorgensen all being given a week off to try and rediscover their best form.
In all three cases, the exciting backs have yet to find their best form in 2024 with Pietsch the best of the trio.
Last week Coleman said the depth the Waratahs had in the outside backs meant he was hoping to try and bring the best out of his players.
“Mark’s back in this week and Dylan has a week out and, again, not through form, it’s a bit around rotation,” Coleman said.
“We’ve got three really good wingers. We want to keep players engaged, in form and match fit and now Marky gets his shot.
“I know for a fact missing out against the Crusaders hurt him. He cares about the team and he really wants to finish this rugby stint on a high, so now he gets the chance to make sure he’s undroppable.”
After scoring in each of his first three matches last year, Jorgensen has yet to find the same try-scoring form as his maiden season in 2023.
Jorgensen, who signed an expensive two-year extension deal last month, has also been guilty of handing over possession in promising positions as he’s looked to keep the ball alive.
They’re teething problems for a young player of immense potential.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is expected to play fullback ahead of Max Jorgensen. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Jorgensen was locked in conversations with Schmidt on Tuesday afternoon, with the new Wallabies coach a notable face on a wet and windy day in Sydney.
Coleman has long said that the Waratahs would ensure they don’t overcook Jorgensen so early in his career, but the decision to send him back to Super Rugby will raise some eyebrows given the mega bucks he’s on for such a young player.
Nawaqanitawase is likely to shift from the wing to fullback to cover the absence of Jorgensen, allowing Reilly to form a wing combination with Pietsch, who scored on his return to the Galloping Greens last week.
Reilly, who spent last year with the Wests Tigers, said the competition for spots in the back three was fierce.
“We’re on all our toes, no one is safe,” Reilly told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ve all got to keep working hard. We’re all very close and learning off each other.”
Rather than kick stones, Reilly also said the week back in Shute Shield under Stephen Hoiles had proven refreshing.
“It’s been good to put some consistent games together,” he said.
“It was pretty refreshing going back to Randwick, having a game there three weeks ago.
“Hopefully I can stay in the team for the rest of the season and keep putting performances together that I’m proud of.”
Triston Reilly has been in strong form for the Waratahs in 2024. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Reilly said Schmidt’s presence at training had given the Waratahs a little boost ahead of their clash against the competition leaders, but the outside back added that the squad had to front us physically to stand a chance on Friday.
“We want to play what we see in front of us,” he said.
“We know defensively they’re going to be big and we’ve got to be physical in our defence.
“Attack wise, we’ve got to be flat and fast, we’ve got to be moving the ball into space otherwise we’ll be shut down. They’ve got a really hard defensive line, so we’ve got to be willing to take those hard carries.”
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
100% you got it champ!
Guess
Roar Rookie
What's Reilly saying? :shocked: They've been playing too flat whole season
jeznez
Roar Guru
The piece that stood out to me is that Course Fees and Other Revenue down 2.9m. RA have a line of Other Funding up 2.8m in their revenue. I wonder if that’s just reallocated as part of the pro-rugby transfer. Not knowing what Other Revenue/Other Funding is. Fairly neatly matches the 3m liabilities passed over as well
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Yeah I haven't had time to go through the full report, just going off the headline announcement from Doorn.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Not sure if I'm reading the report correctly but think a large part of that is associated with the hand over of the Tahs. The big drops in revenue (compared to 2022) came from: RA Funding down 700k Stadium Rebate down 1m Course Fees and Other Revenue down 2.9m That's 4.6m down in revenue and very close to the 4.8m loss. Not sure what the 'Other Revenue' is in that last line Looks like NSWRU will be left with 2.3m in cash and assets after the transfer of the Tahs to RA on Jan 1. As at 31 Dec with the Tahs included their total equity was -700k, implying they have handed 3m in negative equity to RA but I don't know that there aren't future revenues not reflected here which now sit on RA's sheet.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Not sure I agree that the Shute Shield or Hospital Cup are great pathways for Super rugby. From what I've seen there the level of play is generally way below what is needed to prepare players for Super rugby and the reason so many struggle when they get to Super level is because they haven't got the experience or skills needed at that level. Australia needs a tier between club and super where players can work with other better skilled and experienced players so they can learn and gain experience before being thrown in at the deep end in a super team where they generally fail. Lolesio and Jorgenson are two prime examples of players who were great in club rugby but are missing the skills and experience needed for Super rugby.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
We’ve only had one really poor performance this year. I don’t expect them to get hammered
Uncle Fester
Roar Rookie
Perfectly put Jack.
Beefa
Roar Rookie
Those kiwis haven’t missed many though. And Peni Ravai hasn’t missed a game since his arrival last year.
gatesy
Roar Guru
"..Coleman has long said that the Waratahs would ensure they don’t overcook Jorgensen so early in his career, but the decision to send him back to Super Rugby will raise some eyebrows given the mega bucks he’s on for such a young player...". Isn't that where he should be, contractually? Why wouldn't you play club Rugby if you are not required for the match day squad. The idea is to freshen him up, isn't it?
Rolando
Roar Rookie
Shute Sheild &Hospital Cup etc are great pathways that allow a player to develop and put forward their case for a big contract into SR. If they go directly overseas directly from these (state) comps, that shouldn't precluded eligibility for WB's. Pathways is about facilitating progression from one level of competion to the next for the ambitious and talented, right? Why not tilt the favour of funding RU comps, toward internal state RU ( as mentioned) comps a little and the 'cream will rise to the top', as opposed to throwing $millions at a couple of players that havent even estabished their deservedness at a state comp (eg Shute Sheild) level. ? If a player does (perform), offer that player an 'incentive contract' that is the pathway to SR. Following this I'd suggest that talent scouts at school-boy rugby matches, elucidate the pathways from school-boy to state comp (eg Shute Sheild) and from there to O/S or SR. I think SR is a great comp and I'd love to see it ramp up. Look at the Rugby talent we have in the Pacific (and rim). i'd personally hate to see any team removed right now. I'm convinced there is a future in an expanded Pacific comp ( Japan and South America etc) and why not a relegation comp?
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
The astonishing fact is that Cec posts from Sydney region. And it’s not just the Tahs he rags on. The most amusing comments are when he uses career stats for one players verses season stats for another to better his argument for his Brumby man. Just laugh and move on.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I think that’s simplistic. The Kiwi front rowers recruited by the Reds have both missed games through injury so there’s not some magic juice you during after you’ve played a test and passed 30 that stops you getting hurt
cs
Roar Guru
Certainly he had a shocker first up but wasn't embarrassing on his last go. I completely agree otherwise. I like DC and think he has raised the standard despite the disappointing results. Yet he sometimes seems to miss the obvious. As with Harrison on this occasion, I can't understand why he hasn't given Perese a shot a 12.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Tahs have 9 out of 10 contracted front rowers injured. So, they recruited but have been unlucky. No Australian SR team can have enough internationals on their roster to cover that many injuries
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
DC hasn’t been afraid to cut guys not performing. I was surprised to hear him say last week that Holloway end Gleeson were on the bench because he wanted more out of them. So, dropped. Unfortunately, he has been forced to play youngsters and club players in the front row due to injuries and that’s been a killer. His judgement re club front rowers has been good if Heaven is anything to go by though
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He doesn’t often miss tackles when making them in open field but he has failed to get far enough off the line to prevent bigger guys going through him numerous times. A confidence thing? Better coaching to drill into him to use his pace to move toward the attacker?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He was picked in a WC squad though. That was done presumably with an eye towards him playing tests but I didn’t say he had. He went to France ahead of Wright and with the same injury return date as Ikitau. So, promoted ahead of his performances
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree re Harrison. I can recall him playing 15 twice and he was bad both times. We can’t conflate his skills that look fullbacky to him playing at fullback. He’s not in great form generally, I’d have thought he needed to play well in his best position rather than move him to accommodate resting somebody
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Whilst I may have the belly, I suspect the neck and legs lack the size and power required