1
Uncapped teenager shocked by Wallabies Rugby World Cup call
By AAP
Max Jorgensen has placed his studies on hold in the hope of becoming the youngest Wallaby ever to debut at a Rugby World Cup.
The teenage sensation conceded to be in a state of shock after receiving the call-up from coach Eddie Jones to make the trip to France with Australia's 33-man squad.
The 18-year-old had feared his World Cup dream was over when he tore an MCL during a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby loss to the Crusaders in May.
"I was pretty surprised when I found out, especially coming off the back of the pretty big knee injury," Jorgensen said on Friday.
"So it was a bit of a shock to get the call, but I was cheering.
"When I first did the injury, I took it pretty hard. I knew once I did it my knee was pretty cooked. The first four weeks of the injury was pretty devastating."
Three months on, Jorgensen says he's in the final stages of rehab and reckons he'll be available for Australia's warm-up game against the tournament hosts at Stade de France on August 27.
"I should be sweet for that game," said the St Joseph's College graduate.
Jones has invested heavily in youth over experience and Jorgensen is promising not to let anyone down if called up to make a dream Wallabies debut during the global showpiece.
"I just back my skill and I back myself completely," said the fleet-footed fullback or winger.
"So I think I can bring a lot to this end."
There was one positive to Jorgensen's injury.
"It gave me a lot of time to reflect and it was just awesome just looking back at the season I've had and how quickly things have moved and then seeing myself and where I am now, it's just unreal," he said.
Despite his meteoric rise, this won't be Jorgensen's first World Cup.
As a wide-eyed 10-year-old, the son of two-Test former Wallaby turned NRL star Peter Jorgensen attended the 2015 World Cup in England and loved every minute of it.
"That was unreal," he said.
"Watching a lot of the boys that are in this squad right now."
This time he must trade the books for the boots, with Jorgensen having to take time out from studying Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management at Sydney University.
"I will defer for this semester and probably pick it back up next year."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
South Africa vs England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
3
All Blacks player ratings vs France
4
Netherlands serve up Tier 2 shock as another World Cup side slayed
5
Latest Comments
Gotta love a coach who'll throw his players under the bus instead of taking the loss on his chin. No wonder his team lacks confidence with a bellend like him in charge.
Go to commentsI agree re-Barrett, he would be an excellent 6. Vaai he called him the squads Terminator! No use in shutting out other specialist 6s though like Frizell and Finau.
I don't think the Saders want Darry tbh, already have so much locking talent in Strange, Cahill, Hannah, and Barrett, with Gallagher returning after a spell at the Canes.
As for your ideas on SRP, I was thinking more expansion into the islands. Why just a Fijian team? Why not a Samoan and Tongan team as well? I think adding Japan could be cool, since they are in roughly the same timezone so not much jet lag. Only issue is that their seasons are reversed! Same with USA.
I think the best option is to keep to ourselves, with AUS, NZ, SAM, FIJ, and TNG. 5 teams for Australia (Brumbies, Reds, Tahs, Force, Rebels), 5 for NZ (Saders, Canes, Blues, Chiefs, Landers), and 4 for the PIs (Moana Pasifika, Drua, Tongan team, Samoan team).
If we expand into the PIs, we cut off a source of talent and entertainment from the Northern competitions like Top 14, and open a whole new market of people. Increase advertisment in Japan as well, since their in the same timezone, and we could be on track for a very good competition.
Plus, we would get gamedays like in America, one game queued up after another. Makes it a whole lot easier if you can just flick on the telly and BOOM theres the games. No need to plan out when things are, just get your mates around, flick it on in the background and chill with a cold beverage.
Go to comments