Why young Aussie considers Wallabies’ ‘s***’ World Cup a 'good experience’
Teenager Max Jorgensen didn’t play for Australia during last year’s Rugby World Cup, but the rising star still felt the full brunt of the Wallabies’ disappointing pool stage exit.
Australia started their World Cup campaign with a promising 20-point win over Georgia at Stade de France, with fullback Ben Donaldson starring with a two-try Player of the Match performance.
But it was all downhill from there. Australia were beaten by Fiji eight days later, and a record 40-6 World Cup defeat to Wales in Lyon left the Wallabies on the brink of unwanted history.
The Wallabies finished their campaign on a high note with a convincing win over Portugal, but it couldn’t save them from their first-ever pool stage exit at a Rugby World Cup.
“I was so devastated for the boys. I was feeling all the pain… but for me personally, I think it was a good experience to sort of go through something like that, like somewhere where you don’t win anything and everyone’s, the fans are hating you, stuff like that,” uncapped squad member Max Jorgensen told reporters on Monday.
“As hard as it is, I think I’ll grow as a player and be better for it.
“Having your own fans booing you, you’re sort of sitting there like, ‘What do I even think?’ They’re booing us – like they’re meant to be our fans.
“It’s obviously hard but as I said, I think it’s going to make you a better player in the long run, as s*** as it was in the moment, how s*** of a campaign it was, I think a lot of the boys are better for it.”
Jorgensen, just 19, was a surprise inclusion in Eddie Jones’ new-look Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup.
The outside back only debuted for the Waratahs at the start of last year’s Super Rugby Pacific season – but shot out of the blocks with a headline-grabbing double against the Brumbies.
But Jorgensen certainly fit the description as a World Cup ‘bolter’ by making the squad. The Waratah was expected to debut for the Wallabies during the World Cup, too, but a broken leg at training derailed those plans.
“It’s a bit of a blur now. Just went up for a high ball and not even contested,” Jorgensen said.
“Just landed on it and snapped it and yeah, obviously it’s devastating. I was just praying that I’d be a bad rolled ankle or something like that, but went off for a scan and it was obviously broken straight through.
“It was devastating to go back on the plane ride, by myself, just in my own thoughts.”
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What an interesting article, Nick. Late here, so will comment tomorrow am. “In the UK, you might have three whole months when you train set-piece and it’s pissing down. Over here, we very rarely experience games severely affected by weather..” Did you see the Waratahs game on the weekend ? If not have a look at the weather for that struck that one. Drowning would have a been a worry for any player trapped at the bottomof a pile up. Suspect the water polo people might be looking with interest at some of those rugby players after that game😀
Go to commentsSam Cane is a superstar, someone New Zealand should be proud of. How unfair to always compare him to Richie, like saying Mother Theresa is ok, but she's no Jesus. Let's not forget, Sam started in 2012 around the time Richie was probably starting to think, this will be my last world cup cycle if you think he didn't have a big say in who the backup 7 would be and who was best to take over from him after 2015 then you don't understand how clever and forward thinking the man was. Sam Cane was Richie's choice, as apprentice and replacement. Not many people can say they are a better judge than Captain Fantastic. Richie had arguably the greatest rugby team ever assembled, DC, Reason, Kaino, Nonu, C Smith, SBW, Aaron Smith, B Smith, Mealamu, Thorne, Whitelock and Retallic in their prime. Played against an average team, some useless Aussies and only the French in the north who occasionally played wel Sam had Beauden and Jordie, an aging A Smith, Whitelock and Retallic and a group of backs and loosies looking overseas. He played against a SA team who were the world's best, a resurgent northern hemisphere, a strong Argentina. Aussie was still crap but got a lot of home games during COVID. Richie had Henry, Hansen and the Prof. and Razor at crusaders guiding him, Sam had Fozzie and some of his human shields, possibly the ugliest, most unimaginative coaching team ever at the Abs and Rennie and Gatland at the chiefs.. Imagine Sam had 6 years with Joe Schmidt or Razor as his coach. Richie fractured his foot, Sam broke his neck. Richie had a couple of tough months after 07, Sam got the blame for everything from 2020 - 2023. Who should be more proud of their achievements, their leadership and their teams success, wins and strength ? Anyone who understands rugby knows the loosies are a trio picked to complement each other, not 3 guys who score trys and make line breaks. No doubt Sam would love to be doing what Ardie does, that's not what was required of him. He had to hit rucks hard , force turnovers and tackle like an animal On defence, that's what he did. You are a superstar and a Kiwi role model Sam, it's a privilege to not only have watched you play but seen how you lead our team through the toughest time in our success dominated history. You led from the front, copped the undeserved put downs and accepted blame for losses that weren't your fault without punching anyone, I bet a few journo's who wrote what time public wanted instead of what rugby fans knew would have been top of your list to follow to the carpark. Good luck with your future, it will be a success. Looking forward to watching you play your 100th. Thanks for everything Sam.
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