“It’s been a long time,over a month now,of contract negotiations so it is so good to finally get it done.”
If Jorgensen fulfils his vast potential,as many expect,the peace and quiet won’t last long on the contract front. Jorgensen said he “definitely” wants to play in the 2027 World Cup but the Roosters view him as a potential replacement for veteran fullback James Tedesco and will continue to keep an eye on him.
‘I said to him that my heart is in rugby union,I want to play union.’
Max Jorgensen on his chat with Trent Robinson
Jorgensenplayed representative rugby league as a Balmain junior,and was wooed by Robinson and Phil Gould while in year 12 at St Joseph’s College.
But the two-year deal will also allow Jorgensen,via on-field performance,to increase his contract value with cash-strapped Rugby Australia. The organisation expects to be in a much healthier financial state by 2027.
“It was just the best thing for my career at the moment to sign a two-year deal. There’s nothing major to it,” Jorgensen said. “It was just best to go with a two-year deal for now. We will see what happens.
“Obviously,the Roosters are an amazing club. They’re one of the best NRL clubs in Australia. I did a pre-season with the Chooks and really enjoyed my time there. I love Robbo as a coach. It was just more about all the stuff I still want to do in union.”
Jorgensen emerged with a bang in Super Rugby last year and though he picked up an injury with the Waratahs,the teenager was selected by Eddie Jones in the Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup.
He was set for a Test debut in France but broke his ankle at training and came home. The so-close-yet-so-far experience was a factor in his decision to stay in rugby.
“There is a bit of unfinished business there – I want to keep ticking off those goals,” Jorgensen said.
“I want to win a Super Rugby final with the Waratahs,that’s a big goal. And obviously pull on a Wallabies jersey for the first time,that’s something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid.”
Jorgensen said he’d talked to Schmidt as he weighed up his future.
“I had a conversation with Joe. He seems like an awesome bloke and will be really good for the Wallabies and Rugby Australia,and I would love to hopefully work with him,” he said.
Meanwhile,Lalakai Foketi has been named on the Waratahs bench after recovering from a scary neck injury at training that led to him being taken to hospital in an ambulance five weeks ago.
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Will Harrison was also selected on the bench to meet the Rebels on Friday night after a long run of awful luck with knee injuries. It will be Harrison’s first game in Super Rugby for 707 days.
“They both received a big cheer in the team meeting when the team was announced,” Waratahs backs coach Chris Whitaker said.
“The boys saw Lalakai taken away in an ambulance,which was quite frightening for them,so they’re happy to see him back. He gives us a lot of experience in that back line and the boys love to play with him.”
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