Jorgensen committed to the Wallabies, but post-World Cup NRL switch possible

Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen has again committed to the Wallabies ahead of next year’s British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but has revealed that he is open to making the switch to the NRL once he has featured on rugby’s two biggest stages.

Jorgensen emphatically denied that he had been offered any contract from the Roosters and is currently focused on returning to the field against the Drua in Fiji on Saturday after recovering from a hip injury that kept him out of last week’s two-point defeat against the Blues.

Jorgensen has played just 14 Super Rugby matches, is yet to debut for the Wallabies and is off contract with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia at the end of this year.

On Thursday Wallabies and Waratahs centre Izaia Perese announced he would be leaving the Waratahs to join Leicester Tigers next season, giving RA even more impetus to secure the immediate future of the young fullback soon.

RA and NSW Rugby have already pitched a three-year deal to Jorgensen and his management to take him through to the 2027 World Cup, although so far, it remains unsigned.

The 19-year-old was a member of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad last year under Eddie Jones and said in February he was keen to remain in rugby.

Waratahs star Max Jorgensen is committed to Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies, but hasn’t ruled out a later switch to leagueCredit: Getty

After being asked about the appeal of becoming a dual-code athlete in the mould of former All Black and Rooster Sonny Bill Williams once he has finished his bucket list of the Lions and the Rugby World Cup, Jorgensen said it’s something that appeals to him.

“Obviously it interests me, it’s definitely on the table,” Jorgensen said. “Yeah, I’ve had have had a good thought on it.

“I definitely want to do something like that in my career, just right now is probably the right time (to stay in union), but definitely on the table later in my career I think.”

Asked whether he had been offered a contract by the Roosters, his answer was an emphatic one word: no.

Mark Nawaqanitawase and Max Jorgensen at the Rugby World Cup last year.Credit: Getty Images

The fullback credits his father Peter Jorgensen, who played two Tests for the Wallabies before switching to play for the Roosters, as someone he can talk to about his next contractual decision when it comes.

“He’s a big person in my life, I can always talk to him if I need anything and he definitely helps me a lot.

“He obviously advises me here or there, but he always leaves it up to me, he’s good, he doesn’t put me under any pressure or anything like that. He’s helpful like that and I just love talking to him.”

Training on a muddy school field in Nadi under the hot sun, Jorgensen looked sharp as he fielded balls and deftly avoided huge puddles that had gathered after a week of torrential rain in Fiji.

Jorgensen has spoken about the sporting bucket list he wants to tick off with the Lions and the World Cup and he is about to add another item to it, playing in front of a packed crowd against the Drua in Fiji.

“It’s my first time playing here and it’s a great experience, the weather is pretty hot, but it’s not too different to Sydney, we had some hot days there and I’ve been in the sauna all week to try and acclimatise to the weather here, but the boys are up for it and we’re all feeling good,” Jorgensen said.

“We’re way better than we were last year when we were losing to those (New Zealand) teams by 30 points and now we’re losing to them in the final minutes. So yeah, the boys are keeping their heads up and we are ready to start winning some games now.”

Jonathan Drennan travelled to Fiji as a guest of Rugby Australia.

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