Max Jorgensen double leads Waratahs to derby win against Reds

The NSW Waratahs have broken the shackles to open the Super Rugby Pacific season with a rousing 36-12 derby win over the Queensland Reds in Sydney.

Wallabies wonder winger Max Jorgensen dazzled with a double but it was NSW’s new-look forward pack that caused most of the carnage as the Waratahs snapped a four-match losing streak against their arch rivals.

After losing experienced Test stars Taniela Tupou, Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson from their engine room this season, inspirational newcomers Pete Samu and Clem Halaholo and naughty boy lock Miles Amatosero provided the Waratahs’ grunt on Friday night.

Replacement half Teddy Wilson added the icing to the cake with NSW’s fifth try in the penultimate minute to secure a precious bonus point in front of delirious home fans at Allianz Stadium.

The 36-12 triumph, also featuring five goals from as many attempts from flyhalf Lawson Creighton, was only the Waratahs’ second win from their past 10 matches against the Reds since before COVID.

In reality, the Waratahs could have won by much more.

After spurning multiple opportunities at penalty goals, the Waratahs’ confidence paid off when powerhouse flanker Clem Halaholo bulldozed over on debut for the opening try of the night in the seventh minute.

Halaholo turned culprit, though, when his loose pass near halfway landed in the hands of Reds flanker Joe Brial, who toed the ball ahead for lightning winger Tim Ryan to score Queensland’s first try in the 20th minute.

Returning from a two-game suspension for laying out teammate Angus Scott-Young in an infamous training bust-up last month, Amatosero looked a man on a mission.

After finding himself in open space for a 30-metre burst, Amatosero dived over a ruck in search of NSW’s second strike.

The referee wouldn’t allow it but sin-binned Queensland No.8 Vaiuta Latu for offside at the ruck as new Reds captain Fraser McReight pulled off two miraculous try savers on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Halaholo in the space of 20 seconds to keep the Tahs at bay.

Making his NSW debut at age 31, new Sydney-born skipper Matt Philip decided enough was enough and instructed Creighton to finally take the three points on offer to nudge his side ahead 10-5.

Jorgensen lit up the stadium when he burnt Reds fullback Jock Campbell with a huge sidestep, then out-paced the cover defence of flyhalf Louis Werchon in an electrifying play a minute before halftime.

Just when the Tahs figured they’d take a 12-point lead into the break, the Reds stole possession after the halftime siren had sounded and Brial somehow crossed in the left corner.

Queensland would have been delighted to only trail 17-12 entering the second half after the home side dominated much of the opening 40 minutes.

The second half was a scoreless affair until replacement prop Isaac Kailea forced his way over in the 65th minute to give the Tahs some breathing space.

When Jack Debreczeni’s pinpoint cross-field kick found the fingertips of flanker Charlie Gamble loitering on the wing, the flanker conjured a magical offload off the deck for Jorgensen to bag his second of the night and seal victory.

Wilson’s late try sparked joyous celebrations for the home team and fans.