Jorgensen scores double as Tahs secure best start to Super Rugby season in 15 years

Don’t say it too loud because the Waratahs have a nasty habit of letting their most loyal fans down, but this current team really could be a contender for another Super Rugby title.

Don’t anyone dare say it too loud because the Waratahs have a nasty habit of letting their most loyal fans down, but maybe, just maybe, this current team really could be a contender for another Super Rugby title.

It is still early days, of course, but after the disaster of last year, when they finished bottom of the table, the way they have begun the 2025 season is cause enough for everyone to start believing again.

Saturday night’s 34-10 demolition job over the Western Force at Allianz Stadium won’t be remembered as a classic but it hardly matters because this was a big and important victory. It was the Waratahs third in a row this season, leaving them unbeaten and in second place on the ladder, behind New Zealand’s Chiefs.

“There’s no better feeling than being three for three. I haven’t felt that at the Tahs before,” New South Wales winger Max Jorgensen said.

“The backs looked great but only because of the forwards.”

Waratah's Max Jorgensen scores a try. Picture: AFP

Three games may not sound like much but to put that in context, the last time the Waratahs won their first three games of a season was back in 2009, when the now Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh was captaining the side with a full mop of blonde hair.

The Waratahs will face much tougher challenges than what they got from the Force - starting with next weekend’s blockbuster clash against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane - but so far, so good.

“I thought the real positive was we defended really well,” Waratahs captain Jake Gordon said.

“I thought we also put them under pressure at the right ends of the field.”

A realist, Dan McKellar never made any bold claims when he took over as NSW coach.

His only promise was that he would focus on small gains each week and true to his word, that’s exactly what the Waratahs have done so far.

The biggest improvement against the Force was in their attack. While the Waratahs had scored nine tries in their first two wins this season, only one had been by a back.

With the Wallabies’ coach Joe Schmidt watching from the stands, the Waratahs’ Test hopefuls picked the perfect moment to run riot, crossing for six tries, four of them by backs.

Andrew Kellaway scores a try for the Waratahs. Picture: Getty Images

Jorgenson showed why he is just as exciting to watch as his injured $5 million teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii with another electric display.

He scored two tries in the first half, the first after a long cut out pass from five-eighth Lawson Creighton then the second from an interception.

Jorgensen also set up a try from his fellow winger Darby Lancaster in the second half after being denied a hat-trick when his spectacular chip and chase try was pulled back for a forward pass.

Waratah's Darby Lancaster makes a break. Picture: AFP

“It was a lot harder than the scoreline showed,” Jorgensen said.

“The Force boys are such a good team this year but we’re at our home ground and we wanted to make a stand.

Wallaby Andrew Kellaway, backrower Rob Leota and replacement Felix Kalapu also scored for the Waratahs while the Force’s points came from an early try from their hard working flanker Carlo Tizzano, who has scored six tries in four matches this season, and a late consolation from replacement Ryan Coxon after the siren.

“It’s always tough to come and play here (Sydney). They’re a really good side and they have a lot of quality players,” Force skipper Jeremy Williams said.

“But it’s disappointing to leak that many points.”

Originally published as Jorgensen scores double as Tahs secure best start to Super Rugby season in 15 years