The Waratahs are confident teenage sensation Max Jorgensen is ready for Super Rugby after naming the 18-year-old for his debut against the Brumbies on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
Just a few months after leaving school, Jorgensen – who is the son of former Wallaby and NRL player Peter – will start on the wing for NSW, in a Wallaby-laden backline.
The Waratahs and Brumbies both named their teams for the Super Rugby opener on Wednesday, and while Jorgensen was the only major surprise for the Tahs, returned Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham made a number of shock calls, leaving five Wallabies on the bench.
Former Shute Shield star Jack Debrecenzi, who had stints with Melbourne, the Chiefs and in Japan, will start at no.10 in his debut for the Brumbies, ahead of Noah Lolesio. Starting Wallabies no.9 Nic White will also come off the bench, along with Darcy Swain, James Slipper and Lachlan Lonergan.
After settling on a backrow trio of Michael Hooper, Lachie Swinton and Charlie Gamble, Waratahs coach Darren Coleman named a six-two bench to include Langi Gleeson and Will Harris.
Max Jorgensen takes on the defence at Waratahs training.Credit:Julius Dimataga/NSW Rugby
With Kurtley Beale unavailable, Ben Donaldson will resume his 2022 role and start at fullback, with Tane Edmed named in the no.10. Lalakai Foketi and Izzy Perese will play their first games of the year in the midfield.
But Jorgensen’s debut – ahead of Nemani Nadolo – will be the most eagerly watched, in what will only be the former Joeys star’s fourth game against men. The teenager held his own starting in two trials for the Waratahs and scored a superb try against Queensland.
“He is pretty advanced,” Waratahs backs coach Chris Whitaker said.
“I remember watching him at school, and when he first came in I was thinking it is going to be a big step for him, for a schoolkid to be able to play Super Rugby. But from week one you could see he is a different kettle of fish. He is a quality player.
Max Jorgensen darts through the Queensland defence to score for NSW.Credit:Stan Sport
“He has got speed … and just his ability to find space and put other people into space. Generally you find a kid in school, who is fast, they usually just run around people and so don’t have an awareness of where space is, and how to put people into space.
“But he has a good offloading game, seems to find himself in space and works hard off the ball to get the ball in his hands. He is definitely a lot more advanced than we thought he would be.”
While conceding the Brumbies would likely target Jorgensen, Whitaker said they were happy for him to learn on the job.
“He is a kid who is learning and a good way to learn is to stick him in the middle. He has shown at training he is good enough to warrant a spot,”
“We have all confidence in him. We are not going to get too upset if he makes a mistake here and there, because that’s understandable. It is a big step up from what he has done in the past but from what we have seen at training, he can handle that level.”
Waratahs and Brumbies teams for Round One
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Charlie Gamble, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izzy Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson.
Reserves (16-23): Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, TeTera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard.
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford.
MORE TO COME
