Waratahs teen, schoolboy star Max Jorgensen creates stir in Super Rugby debut

Rugby league wanted him but union got him. A schoolboy star just a year ago, now teenager Max Jorgensen is a star in the making after an unforgettable Super Rugby debut.

Max Jorgensen made his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Brumbies.

Waratahs coach Darren Coleman rewarded “special’’ young gun Max Jorgensen with a Super Rugby Pacific debut after an impressive pre-season team but no one - not even the teen himself - expected him to set the field alight with two tries.

Coleman, the former Shute Shield coach with a knack for spotting young talent and turning the fortunes of teams, said prior to the game he believed the talent of the 18-year-old from Balmain would be on show as he grows in confidence.

Instead Jorgensen put on a show with two sensational tries in the Waratahs narrow loss to the Brumbies.

“Unreal’’ is how Jorgensen described his debut after the match.

Max Jorgensen celebrates with Ben Donaldson after scoring a try on debut. Pic: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Unreal is how the experts were described the former GPS gun after the game with Sonny Bill Williams urging rugby fans to “remember the name’’.

“Pretty proud of myself, it’s unreal to put on the sky blue for the first time,” Jorgensen told Stan Sport after the match on Friday.

Jorgensen was a big get for the Waratahs – and rugby — with plenty of NRL clubs also showing interest in the multi-talented youngster who has come into the Waratahs through their Gen Blue program.

Dylan Pietsch of the Waratahs celebrates with Ben Donaldson after scoring in a match last year.

EARLIER: He’s fast, dynamic, creative, has an impeccable football pedigree, bears more than a passing resemblance to his famous dad and hates one thing more than anything – losing.

These are just a few of the things setting Max Jorgensen, son of former Wallaby and NRL gun Peter Jorgensen, from the pack at such an early age.

There’s also his astounding speed, good decision making and great game sense according to some of his coaches.

The 18-year-old from Balmain in Sydney’s inner west was a standout for the Gen Blues and had plenty of interest from NRL clubs before snapped up by the Waratahs on a two-year deal in 2022.

Now the young gun has made his debut for the Waratahs in their trial against the Brumbies on the weekend.

Max Jorgensen playing for GPS 1 in a trial match last year.

The Tahs lost the trial 31-26 with Jorgensen showing flashes of his promise in his time on the field.

The news of his start at such a young age created as much buzz as his speed on the field usually does.

Jorgensen has revealed his greatest love in life is playing the game.

“I don’t even know how to describe it, playing rugby,’’ Jorgensen told NewsLocal prior to his signing.

“It’s an amazing feeling running out, playing with my mates. I love everything about it.

“But it hurts to lose. I hate it.’’

Max Jorgensen in action as a schoolboy star.

Mentored by Kurtley Beale prior to his suspension from rugby, Jorgensen’s rapid elevation is no surprise to those in the game.

Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has described Jorgensen him as a “special talent” with a great game sense and skills with both hands.

One of the Gen Blue’s coaches, Dean Hargreaves, described Jorgensen as a “real stand out’’ while playing for him.

“He’s a pretty talented kid, has terrific balance as a runner and he’s very fast. He’s also a very good decision maker.”

Fast, dynamic, creative have all been words used to describe the former schoolboy star from St Joseph's College.

Harrison Goddard played for the Rebels back in 2018 but will make his Tahs debut this weekend.

He was named in the Junior Wallabies squad while doing his HSC and was reportedly courted by league clubs, including the Sydney Roosters.

Jorgensen, who played for the Balmain Wolves in rugby and Leichhardt Junior in league as a kid, said his father, who played for the Wallabies, Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers, introduced him to both codes at an early age.

“I started playing when I was five, dad got me into it and I started playing both,” Jorgensen said.

“I was playing for Balmain Wolves in Rugby Union and Leichhardt Juniors in League.”

Jorgensen is one of four players set to debut for the Waratahs in the first-half team which also includes Harrison Goddard, who played under coach Coleman in the US, Taleni Seu and former Crusaders player Namani Nadolo.

In other news Tokyo Olympian and Aussie Sevens star Dylan Pietsch has signed a two-year extension with the Waratahs.

The talented outside back had a breakout season last year and was awarded the Chris Whitaker Aspiring Medal as Rookie of the Year.

Originally published as Waratahs teen, schoolboy star Max Jorgensen creates stir in Super Rugby debut