“Never say never,” Jorgensen said.
“I loved the time I played in the league when I was younger, I still love the game and I enjoy 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 with the Tahs and Rugby Australia this year. We’re still working on a few things,” he said.
“I’ve loved my time playing for the Tahs, but we’ll take it this year and see what happens.
“It’s always nice.” [get it done early]but sometimes it’s not up to you. Hopefully it will work itself out.
Max Jorgensen with Joseph-Aukuso Suaali at Waratahs training in Mudgee.Credit: Amber Hooper
“I like to keep my cards close to my chest. Obviously a home World Cup is huge. It doesn’t happen very often. I know playing in a home World Cup would be really great.”
The addition of Crichton and Nawaqanitawas, will that factor into your decision?
“Angus and Marky are two very talented athletes who have gone on to great things in the union, including ‘Gus’ at schoolboy level and Marky with the Tahs and Wallabies,” Jorgensen said.
“It’s exciting to get them back in the game. They’re two amazing players. You want to play with the best players. They’re elite with experience.”
“I love my time playing for the Tahs, but we’ll take it this year and see what happens.
Max Jorgensen on his future
“I want to win a Super Rugby title with the Tahs. There’s Bledisloes with the Wallabies, World Cups, I’m even trying to win against the British and Irish Lions. Those are all things that are on your bucket list when you’re growing up.”
“But as I say, we’ll see.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar spoke for everyone in rugby when he said: “If we get it [deal] done sooner rather than later, everyone will sleep a little easier.
“I can understand why the Roosters or any NRL club would be interested in him. He’s an elite talent.”
Max Jorgensen in Mudgee where the Waratahs spent a week training.Credit: Amber Hooper
“I hope he feels comfortable and enjoys where he is at the moment and feels valued. Max loves rugby and what the game has to offer.”
“It will [well] rewarded regardless of where he plays.
“I’d be pretty sure 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 when 21-year-olds suddenly become superstars overnight and can get ahead of themselves. That’s certainly not the case with Max.”
Born in England but raised in Sydney’s inner west, Jorgensen played rugby with Balmain Wolves and league with Leichhardt Juniors, later moving to Concord Wolves once the Juniors folded. He was in the Balmain Harold Matthews team, which featured Wests Tigers forward Tony Sukkar.
One of Jorgensen’s early memories was wearing a Roosters jersey and supporting the club where his father spent two seasons scoring 20 tries in the 1990s. Peter celebrated the trials of the “plane” that Max said he could make this season.
“I’ve seen videos of it — I might have to release it this year,” he said with a smile.
Max Jorgensen played for the Waratahs last year.Credit: Getty Images
“I leaned on my dad a lot when I was younger and certainly when I was transitioning into professional football. I still do now and he gives me instructions after every game.
“Dad always leaned towards supporting the Roosters and it rubbed off on me.
“I’ve watched them all my life. I did pre-season with the club under Robb a few years ago, which was also the first time I met ‘Su’. [Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii].
“I loved Robb as a coach, he is also a great blogger and a great person.
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 were to transfer, Fittler said there is no doubt about his success.
“He could develop as a full-back or at five-eighth; I used to think he might be too small, but some of the best players in our squad are small now,” Fittler said. “He’s tough, has great skills and reads the game well.
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The Roosters could do with a full-back or winger like Jorgensen.
Full-back James Tedesco is signed until the end of next year and although he is fit to play into his 40s, the captain cannot continue forever. Veteran winger Daniel Tupou is in the same boat, while Nawaqanitawase’s departure creates another wing.
The Roosters also found success with two of their superb full-backs – Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivas-Sheck – starting on the wing before moving to number one.
Jorgensen reveals little, but there is no hint of arrogance. He is tight with Suaalii. He honestly wasn’t sure if he needed a shirt to shoot this masthead and politely asked if the zinc on his face would be an unwanted distraction for the photographer.
He was superb at the start of the last Super Rugby season before suffering an ankle injury in Wellington. According to McKellar, he is one of the best in the world in that position, with a desire to play at full-back. And he has speed to burn.
Suaalii and Jorgensen spent time running at fullback in training during the Waratahs camp in Mudgee. Jorgensen credited Suaalii for teaching him the little things he learned in the NRL, including “showing different pictures of the attack” in defence.
Looking at the World Cup, you have to wonder how the Wallabies include Jorgensen, Sualii, Nawaqanitawas and Tom Wright at fullback and two wings.
Will Jorgensen even be in the game? Rugby needs Jorgensen. Roosters would love him. Australian rugby rests, they have Crichton – but they won’t sleep until Jorgensen is done.
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