“You never say never,” Jorgensen said.
“I loved my time playing league when I was younger, I still love the game and love watching it.
“We’ll see where my career takes me. If it happens, it happens.”
What about the five-year offer from Rugby Australia?
“I’m still signed to the Tahs and Rugby Australia this year. We’re still working through a few things,” he said.
“I’m loving my time playing at the Tahs, but we’ll get through this year and see what happens.
“It’s always nice to [get it done early], but sometimes it’s not up to you. Hopefully, it works itself out.
Max Jorgensen with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at Waratahs training in Mudgee.Credit: Amber Hooper
“I like to keep my cards close to my chest. Obviously, a home World Cup is massive. It doesn’t come around too often. I do know to play in a home World Cup would be really cool.”
The addition of Crichton and Nawaqanitawase, will that be factored into your decision?
“Angus and Marky are two very talented athletes who have done great things in union, including ‘Gus’ at schoolboys level, and Marky with the Tahs and Wallabies,” Jorgensen said.
“To have them back in the game is exciting. They’re two amazing players. You do want to play with the best players. They’re elite with experience.
‘I’m loving my time playing at the Tahs, but we’ll get through this year and see what happens.’
Max Jorgensen on his future
“I want to win a Super Rugby title with the Tahs. With the Wallabies, there are Bledisloes, World Cups, even trying to win against the British and Irish Lions. They are all things that are on your bucket list when growing up.
“But like I said, we’ll see.”
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar spoke for everyone in rugby when he said: “If we get that [deal] done sooner rather than later, everyone will sleep that little bit easier.
“I can understand why the Roosters, or any NRL club, would be interested. He’s an elite talent.
Max Jorgensen in Mudgee where the Waratahs spent a week training.Credit: Amber Hooper
“Hopefully, he’s comfortable and enjoying where he is at the moment, and he feels valued. Max loves rugby union and what the game can offer.
“He will be [well] remunerated, regardless of where he plays.
“I’d be pretty confident he’s enjoying the environment we have here at the Waratahs, and he’ll enjoy it with the Wallabies.
“Max’s greatest strength is his humility. He’s not a self-promoter. He’s incredibly humble, comes from a good family, and doesn’t get ahead of himself.
“We’ve seen it many times before when 21-year-olds all of a sudden become superstars overnight, and they can get ahead of themselves. That’s certainly not the case with Max.”
Jorgensen was born in England, but grew up in Sydney’s inner-west, playing rugby with the Balmain Wolves, and league with the Leichhardt Juniors, later switching to the Concord Wolves once the Juniors folded. He was in the Balmain Harold Matthews’ team that featured Wests Tigers forward Tony Sukkar.
One of Jorgensen’s earliest memories was wearing a Roosters jersey and supporting the club where his father spent two seasons and racked up 20 tries in the 1990s. Peter celebrated tries with the “aeroplane”, which Max said he might produce this season.
“I’ve seen videos of it – I might have to bring it out this year,” he said, with a smile.
Max Jorgensen playing for the Waratahs last year.Credit: Getty Images
“I leaned on dad a lot when I was younger, and definitely when I was transitioning into professional footy. I still do now, and he’ll give me pointers after each game.
“Dad always leaned towards supporting the Roosters, and it rubbed off on me.
“I’ve followed them my whole life. I did a pre-season with the club under Robbo a couple of years ago, which was also the first time I met ‘Su’ [Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii].
“I loved Robbo as a coach, he’s a great bloke as well and a great man.”
Brad Fittler is Roosters’ royalty, while his son, Zach, is now with the Waratahs, and played against Jorgensen in the GPS first XV schoolboys competition.
If Jorgensen switched, Fittler said there was no question about him being a success.
“He could make it as fullback or five-eighth; there was a time I thought he could have been too small, but some of the best players in our comp are now small,” Fittler said. “He’s tough, has a great skill set, and he reads the game well.”
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The Roosters could do with a fullback or winger like Jorgensen.
Fullback James Tedesco is signed until the end of next year, and although he is in the kind of form to keep playing until he is 40, the skipper cannot go on forever. Veteran winger Daniel Tupou is in the same boat, while Nawaqanitawase’s exit creates another wing opening.
The Roosters have also had success starting two of their great fullbacks – Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – on the wing before transitioning to the No. 1.
Jorgensen gives little away, but there is no hint of arrogance. He is tight with Suaalii. He was genuinely unsure if he needed a shirt for this masthead’s photo shoot, and politely asked if the zinc on his face would be an unwanted distraction for the photographer.
He was brilliant at the start of the last Super Rugby season before suffering an ankle injury in Wellington. He is one of the world’s best in that position, according to McKellar, with aspirations of playing fullback. And, he has speed to burn.
Suaalii and Jorgensen spent time running at fullback at training during the Waratahs’ camp in Mudgee. Jorgensen praised Suaalii for teaching him little things he learned in the NRL, including “showing different pictures to the attack” when defending.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, you have to wonder how the Wallabies include Jorgensen, Suaalii, Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright into the fullback and two wing positions.
Will Jorgensen even be in the game? Rugby needs Jorgensen. The Roosters would love him. Rugby Australia are resting easy they have Crichton – but they will not sleep until Jorgensen is done.
