BBC Rugby Union: Jorgensen Poised for Wallabies Debut Despite Injury Woes
Australia’s head coach Joe Schmidt has expressed confidence that teenage sensation Max Jorgensen will thrive if selected to represent the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday.
Jorgensen’s 2023 season has been disrupted by a series of injuries, limiting him to just eight appearances for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific. The 19-year-old, who can play on the wing or at full-back, last featured for Sydney club Randwick in May. However, his impressive performances for the Waratahs last year caught the eye and led to his inclusion in Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad, before a broken leg during training dashed his dreams.
“He was the quickest guy we had at training today across the ground. He’s definitely fully fit,” the Wallabies boss said.
The coach acknowledged that integrating Jorgensen directly into the Wallabies setup presents a “conundrum” compared to the initial plan of reintegrating him through club rugby with Randwick. However, Schmidt believes the full-time training program with the national team will benefit the talented youngster, as he becomes accustomed to the team’s “lexicon, language, and expectations.”
Jorgensen’s keenness and confidence have impressed Schmidt, who remains optimistic about the teenager’s potential to shine in the Test arena despite his limited experience and injury history. “He is very keen, super keen. So that keenness and confidence hopefully will be evident in the way he plays, but it’s a big Test match for him to inject himself into,” the coach said.
The Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday will provide Jorgensen with a chance to showcase his blistering pace and attacking prowess on the international stage, as Australia looks to kick off their campaign on a high note.
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