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Rugby Australia statement: Max Jorgensen signs new Waratahs deal
In-demand youngster Max Jorgensen has agreed to a deal that will keep him playing for the Super Rugby Pacific Waratahs until 2026, also ensuring his availability for the Wallabies whose upcoming schedule includes the eagerly awaited 2025 tour of Australia by the British and Irish Lions.
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It was only last week that the teenager was linked with a switch to the NRL, but he has decided not to switch codes and to instead stick with rugby union for the next two years.
A statement read: “Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs can confirm that Max Jorgensen has re-committed to Australian Rugby for two more years. The 19-year-old’s contract renewal will see him remain in the sky blue until at least the end of 2026, and in Australia for next year’s much anticipated British and Irish Lions Tour.
“An electric outside back, Jorgensen burst onto the Super Rugby Pacific scene last year, scoring two tries on debut in round one at Allianz Stadium. His Super Rugby Pacific form was rewarded when he was named in the Wallabies training squad in April last year before injury ruled him out of the truncated Rugby Championship.
“Despite this, the then 18-year-old Jorgensen was one of three uncapped players selected in Australia’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad to head to France. A NSW Rugby pathways product, Jorgensen represented the Waratahs academy at U15, U16 and U18 age levels before spending time in the 2022 Junior Wallabies programme, and was later selected to tour Japan with Australia A in the same year.
Jorgo commits until at least the end of 2026 ??#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/fDx4ARPzIs
— Wallabies (@wallabies) March 27, 2024
“The son of Wallaby number 700, Peter Jorgensen, Max has also signed on as a Get Into Rugby Ambassador, Rugby Australia’s national entry level rugby programme which closely aligns with his own journey to the professional system.”
Jorgensen said: “I couldn’t be happier to commit my future to the Waratahs and Australian Rugby. The game has a lot to look forward to in this country in the coming years, and I am excited by the prospect of being a part of it.
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“I am really enjoying my footy, and I believe this is the best place for me to continue my development – for me, it is all about working hard and trying to earn opportunities at the Waratahs, and hopefully the Wallabies.”
Rugby Australia director of high-performance Peter Horne added: “Max is a promising young player and we are very pleased he has committed to Australian Rugby for a further two years.
“He is a mature young man, with an encouraging future and Rugby Australia are looking forward to supporting him as he strives to perform well both on and off the field.”
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said: “It’s really exciting for both the Waratahs and Australian rugby as a whole to have someone like Max recommit to our sport. A player like him obviously attracts a lot of interest, but I know that he is really motivated to achieve success in his rugby career.
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“We have all seen what he can do on the field, but Max is also an awesome team member and the boys love having him as a part of our club. The Waratahs are very happy to keep Max and we look forward to seeing him progress in the sky blue jersey.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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