Schoolboy rugby’s Max Jorgensen, son of Wallaby, NRL gun Peter, making own waves with Gen Blues

He’s the son of a former Wallaby and Penrith and Sydney Roosters NRL gun now on a fast track to success himself on the footy field. Full NSW Gen Blues SQUAD.

Max Jorgensen, playing for GPS 1, taking the field in trials at Eric Tweedale Oval. Pic: John Appleyard

Growing up Max Jorgensen’s dad was the guy taking him to the local park to throw round a football and teach him the basics of the game.

To others, he was a talented and versatile football great, a cross-coder who represented his country in rugby, played NRL for the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers and ran out for his state in City Origin.

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Max Jorgensen in his GPS colours.

While Jorgensen, a Year 12 student at St Joseph’s College at Hunters Hill, said he is often told he resembles his father on the pitch, he has only ever seen his father play at the elite level on the internet.

“I was too young when he was playing,” said Balmain’s Jorgensen.

Peter Jorgensen (L) with Penrith in 2000.

Peter Jorgensen with the Sydney Roosters in 1996.

“I’ve heard stories, seen him on YouTube and a couple of people say I look like him, but I was too young when he retired.

“He’s always just been very supportive of me. He didn’t really care if I played league or union. He and mum left it up to me.”

Max Jorgensen on the burst.

Jorgensen, who chose rugby union and made the U18 NSW Gen Blues squad named on the weekend, said his father 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,” said the speedy fullback attends Saint Josephs College at Hunters Hill and played for GPS in recent trial matches in Sydney ahead of his Gen Blues selection.

“I was playing for Balmain Wolves in rugby union and Leichhardt Juniors in league.”

The 17-year-old, whose brother Ryan is with the Randwick Colts program, said his goal is to be playing professional rugby in the future.

“I don’t even know how to describe it, it’s an amazing feeling running out, playing with my mates, I love everything about it,” he said.

“It hurts to lose, I hate it. But I’ve learnt to bounce back and just get on with it.”

The Gen Blues squad heads to Brisbane on Saturday for games against their Queensland Reds opposites.

GEN BLUES SQUAD 2022

Jack Barrett GPS St Joseph’s College, Sam Sayoun CAS Barker College, Jackson Stiel GPS Shore School, Bailey Park GPS The Kings School, Bryn Edwards CAS Barker College, Will Guilfoyle GPS The Scots College, Harry Bell GPS St Joseph’s College, Henry Basten GPS The Kings School, AJ Preketes CAS Waverley, Oliver McCrea GPS The Scots College, Ned Ericsson CAS Knox Grammar School, Harry Agar Sydney Northern Suburbs Rugby Club, Adam Van Wyk CAS Barker College, Jacob Veriu GPS Newington, Fergus Gillian, Lennox Head Trojans, Louis Dalrymple Sydney Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club, Lachlan Hooper CAS Barker College, Ethan Halatokoua CAS Waverley College, Ben Di Stasio GPS The Scots College, Jaydon Villiamu GPS Newington College, Tom Livingston CAS Barker College.

SQUAD CONTINUED BELOW

ISA1's Ben Dufficy releases the ball at NSW Schools Rugby trials at Eric Tweedale Oval. Pic: John Appleyard

Austin Durbidge GPS The Kings School, Dan Nelson Sydney University, Douglas Philipson CAS Barker College, Hwi Sharples GPS St Joseph’s College, Joey Fowler GPS St Joseph’s College, Henry James GPS The Scots College, Tom Klem GPS Shore School, Jarrah McLeod CAS Knox Grammar School, Savelio Tamale CCC/Sydney St Pauls, Manly/Warringah RFC, Ronan Leahy GPS St Joseph’s College, Jackson Ropata Sydney Southern Districts Rugby Club, Max Jorgensen GPS St Joseph’s College, Angus Staniforth GPS The Kings School.

SQUAD CONTINUED BELOW

ISA I and GPS I at trial matches in June. Pic John Appleyard

Hadley Tonga GPS The Kings School, Omar Noureddine Sydney Eastwood Rugby Club, Archer Saunders CAS Knox Grammar School, Oscar Jorgensen GPS St Joseph’s College, James McGregor GPS Newington College.

UNAVAILABLE: Lipina Ata GPS Newington College, Ben Dufficy GPS The Kings School, Billy Dickens GPS Newington College.

INJURY: Sam Giffin GPS St Ignatius College Riverview, Nick Harris GPS The Scots College, Oniti Finau CAS Barker, Sam Berckelman GPS The Scots College, Will Kenndy CAS Barker College.

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Originally published as Schoolboy rugby’s Max Jorgensen, son of Wallaby, NRL gun Peter, making own waves with Gen Blues