Rugby Australia put Max Jorgensen NRL saga to bed with mega deal

Max Jorgensen has turned his back on a move to the Sydney Roosters for a third time after shaking hands with Rugby Australia on a monster multi-million dollar five-year deal.

The Roosters, who had twice failed to lure Jorgensen, 21, to switch codes, were expected to make a third attempt, and he was also linked with a switch to R360 before they were forced to postpone their launch until 2028.

Jorgensen, who was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, when his dad Peter played for Rotherham Titans, is only the third player, after Michael Hooper and Lote Tuqiri, to sign on for five years.

The Sydney Morning Herald have revealed that he will earn more than $900k (£456k) a season, rising to $1m (£507k) a season for signing for Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs through to 2031.

It is also understood that Jorgensen, who won the first of his 20 Wallabies caps when he was 18 and touched down in two Tests against the Lions last year, has a clause to allow an overseas sabbatical.

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Jorgensen, who was called a “generational talent” by RA boss Phil Waugh, has committed his future, which will officially be announced later this week, just days after the Waratahs signed Roosters star Angus Crichton.

Wallabies team-mate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who became a Roosters fan after joining the club in 2021, inadvertently let on at Waratahs media day that Jorgensen’s future was sorted and was excited to see Crichton at the club.

“Max is here for a bit. I love the Sydney Roosters. I’ve loved that club ever since I got there. I still do. But hopefully they don’t take Max. He’s been killing it here. He’s a superstar, and he just keeps on getting better and better.

“Every time I’ve spoken to Angus, he’s always said he’s loved rugby. It’s a pleasure for him to come across. I think everyone’s very, very excited,” Suaalii is quoted in the SMH.