Wallabies teen sensation reflects on ‘dream come true’ debut against Springboks
Wallabies flyer Max Jorgensen.
Despite suffering a defeat to the Springboks on his Test debut in Perth on Saturday, Max Jorgensen said it was the realisation of a dream when he finally got the opportunity to represent his country at Test level.
Jorgensen came on as a replacement for the injured Hunter Paisami in the 47th minute of the Wallabies’ 30-12 defeat to the world champions in their Rugby Championship clash at Optus Stadium.
The highly rated flyer, who can play on the wing or at full-back, has had several injuries which has postponed his Wallabies debut as he was part of Australia’s squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Suffered injury setback at World Cup
He was set to make his Test bow at the global showpiece in France last year but broke his leg during a training session in the build-up to the Australia’s highly anticipated Pool C clash against Wales in Lyon.
However, the 19-year-old finally got his chance on the big stage against the Boks and by doing that he followed in his dad Peter’s footsteps by representing the Wallabies.
“Shattered about the defeat but feeling pretty good after the debut…It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of, the atmosphere was amazing,” said Jorgensen.
“It was an amazing atmosphere, especially in that weather, I’m amazed that many people came out, it was pi**ing down but it was unreal.”
Former Wallabies star scores sensational try on rugby league debut
He was also sidelined for the bulk of the Super Rugby Pacific season with a hamstring injury but despite receiving few attacking opportunities against the Boks, he set pulses racing less than 10 minutes after coming on to the field.
Jorgensen gathered a cross-field kick with ease before beating experienced Bok speedster Makazole Mapimpi and continued on his run towards South Africa’s try-line.
The teenage sensation then chipped ahead but nothing came of that foray into Bok territory but he certainly announced himself to the international game.
‘It’s a dream come true’
“To fall short last year at the World Cup was obviously devastating but to get my shot and finally put on the green and gold feels amazing, it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“To play against a team like South Africa, probably the best team in the world at the moment is pretty nerve-racking, but it was good to be out there.
“It’s obviously been a while since I played footy, it’s been 14 weeks, but to get out there, it came on me quick, I don’t think I was supposed to get on that early.
“Obviously with Hunter [Paisami] going down, that got rid of the nerves, just getting on and making that first tackle, I felt [I was] in the game straight away.”
