Wallabies’ teenage sensation ‘ready to go’ as baptism of fire awaits against Springboks
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and teenage flyer Max Jorgensen.
Highly-rated uncapped Wallabies flyer Max Jorgensen is set to face a baptism of fire when he makes his Test debut off the replacements bench against the Springboks in Perth on Saturday.
The Wallabies were outplayed in most departments when they faced the world champions in the corresponding match in Brisbane last week and head coach Joe Schmidt has made some alterations to his matchday squad.
Those changes are highlighted by the return of star wing Marika Koroibete and impressive prop Angus Bell and the duo’s presence should bolster the Wallabies ranks.
Surprise inclusion
Meanwhile, Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has also sprung a surprise by including Jorgensen on the bench for this highly anticipated encounter.
Schmidt hinted that he would hand the 19-year-old, who is capable of playing on the wing and at full-back, his Test debut in the Brisbane Test but opted against it.
The teenage sensation is highly rated in Australia but his fledgling career has been hampered by injuries. This year, a hamstring injury meant he could only make eight appearances for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific.
Jorgensen shone for the Waratahs from the start of the 2023 season and announced himself with a brace of tries on his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Brumbies.
He continued to shine for the Sydneysiders and his impressive form led to him being included in Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad, but he broke his leg during a training session in the build-up to the Wallabies’ Pool C match against Wales in Lyon last year.
Joe Schmidt recalls ‘retired’ Test star as Wallabies wonderkid finally set to make debut
Despite this year’s hamstring injury, the young flyer has always been on Schmidt’s radar and the coach is backing him to do well when he comes off the bench against the Boks in Perth.
Schmidt admitted though that Jorgensen can expect a hostile reception from his opponents.
“I just think in the modern game, it’s very hard to target someone illegally, obviously, because of the TMO and the consequence of targeting someone illegally,” he said.
‘He’s good in the air’
“They may try to put the ball on top of him, but he’s good in the air.
“My perception of him is that he’ll be keen for them to kick it to him so he can get his running game up and going.
“He’s one of our quicker players. He’s good on his feet.
“And for a young man who will be stepping into the Test arena against the world champions, he has a quiet confidence about him.
“I sense that he’s ready to go.”
