Rugby Australia sweat on star’s signature amid Roosters NRL interest
“You never say never,” Jorgensen said.
“I loved playing in the league when I was younger, I still love the game and love watching it.
“We’ll see where my career takes me. If it happens, it happens.”
What about Rugby Australia’s five-year offer?
“I’m still contracted with the Tahs and Rugby Australia this year. We’re still working on a few things,” he said.
“I love spending time playing for the Tahs but we will get through this year and see what happens.
“It’s always beautiful [get it done early]But sometimes it’s not up to you. I hope it fixes itself.
Max Jorgensen with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at Waratah’s training in Mudgee.Credit: Amber Hooper
“I like to keep my cards close to my chest. Obviously, a World Cup at home is huge. It doesn’t come along very often. I know it would be really great to play in a World Cup at home.”
Will the addition of Crichton and Nawaqanitawase influence your decision?
“Angus and Marky are two very talented sportsmen who have done great things together, including ‘Gus’ and Tahs at schoolboy level and Marky with the Wallabies,” Jorgensen said.
“It’s exciting to have them back in the game. They are two fantastic players. You want to play with the best players. They are experienced and elite players.
‘I love spending time playing for Tahs but we’ll get through this year and see what happens.’
About the future of Max Jorgensen
“I want to win the Super Rugby title with the Tahs. There’s the Bledisloes with the Wallabies, there’s the World Cups, they’re even trying to win against the British and Irish Lions. These are all things that are on your bucket list when you grow up.”
“But like I said, we’ll see.”
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on behalf of everyone in rugby: “If we achieve this [deal] If it’s done sooner or later, everyone will sleep a little easier.
“I can see why the Roosters or any NRL club would be interested. He’s an elite talent.”
Max Jorgensen is in Mudgee, where the Waratahs have been training for a week.Credit: Amber Hooper
“I hope he’s comfortable where he is now and that he’s enjoying himself and feeling valued. Max loves rugby union and what the game has to offer.”
“It will [well] Wherever he plays, he gets paid.
“I’m pretty sure he enjoys the environment we have here at the Waratahs and will enjoy it with the Wallabies.
“Max’s biggest strength is his humility. He’s not a self-promoter. He’s incredibly humble, comes from a good family and doesn’t put himself forward.
“We’ve seen many times before where 21-year-olds can suddenly become superstars overnight and get ahead of themselves. That’s certainly not the case with Max.”
Jorgensen was born in England but grew up in Sydney’s inner west, playing rugby with Balmain Wolves and league with Leichhardt Juniors, then moving to Concord Wolves when the Juniors folded. He was part of Balmain Harold Matthews’ team, which also included Wests Tigers forward Tony Sukkar.
One of Jorgensen’s earliest memories was playing for the Roosters and supporting the club where his father spent two seasons and scored 20 tries in the 1990s. Peter celebrated Max’s attempts at the “airplane” he said he could produce this season.
“I’ve seen videos of this; I might have to put it out this year,” he said with a smile.
Max Jorgensen was playing for the Waratahs last year.Credit: Getty Images
“When I was young and definitely making the transition to professional football, I relied on my father a lot. I still do now and he will give me suggestions after every match.
“My dad always tended to support the Roosters and that rubbed off on me.
“I’ve followed them all my life. I did a pre-season training at the club a few years ago under Robbo and that was also when I first met ‘Su’. [Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii].
“I loved Robbo as a coach, he is also a great guy and a great guy.”
Brad Fittler is Roosters royalty, while his son Zach is currently with the Waratahs and played against Jorgensen in the GPS first XV schoolboys competition.
If Jorgensen changes, Fittler said there is no doubt he will be successful.
“He could play as a full-back or a five-eighth; there was a time when I thought he might be too small, but some of the best players in our composition are now undersized,” Fittler said. “He is strong, has great skill and reads the game well.”
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The Roosters could do with a full-back or winger like Jorgensen.
Full-back James Tedesco has signed a contract until the end of next year and although he is fit to continue playing until he is 40, it is unlikely the captain can continue indefinitely. While veteran winger Daniel Tupou is also in the same boat, Nawaqanitawase’s exit creates another wingspan.
The Roosters also managed to start two of their great full-backs, Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, on the wing before moving to No1.
Jorgensen says little, but there is no trace of arrogance. He has a tight relationship with Suaalii. He wasn’t really sure if this dude needed a shirt for the photo shoot and politely asked if the zinc on his face would be an unwanted distraction for the photographer.
He was superb at the start of the last Super Rugby season before suffering an ankle injury in Wellington. According to McKellar, he is one of the best in the world in this position and wants to play full-back. And there is burning speed.
Suaalii and Jorgensen spent time running around the full-backs in training during the Waratahs’ camp in Mudgee. Jorgensen praised Suaalii for teaching him the little things he learned in the NRL, including “showing different pictures of the attack” when defending.
Looking back at the World Cup, you have to wonder how the Wallabies got Jorgensen, Suaalii, Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright into the full-back and two-wing positions.
Will Jorgensen be in the game? Rugby needs Jorgensen. Roosters will love it. Rugby Australia is sleeping well, Crichton is there, but they won’t be able to sleep until Jorgensen is done.
