At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Max Jorgensen was the baby of the Wallabies squad.
But just as a Test debut against Portugal beckoned, the 19-year-old fractured his fibula in training after leaping for a high ball – a cruel blow that ended his tournament before it began.
Devastated by the leg injury that had cruelled his tournament, Jorgensen returned home and threw himself into rehab.
His diligence paid off when he finally debuted for the Wallabies last year against South Africa, before announcing himself in style with a match-winning try against England at Twickenham.
After missing out on the Rugby World Cup, the Waratahs outside back has made no secret of wanting to be involved in the second-biggest event for an Australian rugby player – a British and Irish Lions tour.
But on a wet night in Wellington in late March, it suddenly felt as if that dream would be snatched away from him, too, when Jorgensen was left clutching his ankle and punching the turf in anger after an awkward tackle.
Wallaby Max Jorgensen scores the match-winner against England on last season’s spring tour. Credit: Getty Images
“The two injuries felt very similar – that’s why I was a bit scared when I did it,” Jorgensen said of his injury against the Hurricanes.
“It’s such a big year with the Lions and you’re just like, ‘S—, what do I do now’? It was pretty devastating. What goes through your head is pretty full on. You just have that feeling you’ve done something bad.”
Jorgensen, who was speaking at a media conference announcing Nine’s new World Cup broadcast deal, says he is hoping to be back to full fitness in about three or four weeks.
If the Waratahs miss the finals, he won’t feature in sky blue again this season.
Wallaby Max Jorgensen (centre) with Nine CEO Matt Stanton, Wallaroos star Piper Duck, Dual international Sonny Bill Williams and World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson. Credit: Oscar Colman
Jorgensen’s injury came at a pivotal moment in the Waratahs’ season. When he went down, they had won four of their first five matches and were leading the Hurricanes 10-7. They lost that match 57-12, and have dropped four of five since.
“The best-case scenario is we want the Tahs to make the quarters,” Jorgensen said. “It’s looking like we’re going to have to win three games straight. If the boys dig deep, I think we’ll be able to do it.
“After that, it’s a conversation I’ll want to have with [Wallabies coach] Joe [Schmidt]. If all goes well, my ankle is going to be sweet for Lions.
“From a confidence point of view, I definitely feel ready to go into those bigger arenas. You don’t lose too much fitness.”
Jorgensen said he had been impressed with the form of his Tahs teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who could be his Wallabies partner in the back field come the first Test in Brisbane on July 19, provided he recovers from a concussion he picked up against the Reds on Friday.
“He’s been unreal,” Jorgensen said of Suaalii. “It was unfortunate for him to go down on the weekend. He’s been amazing.
