‘My heart is in rugby’: Jorgensen turns down Roosters to chase Wallabies dream

In-demand teenager Max Jorgensen told Roosters coach Trent Robinson his “heart is in rugby union” before turning down a potential switch to the NRL club and extending his contract with Rugby Australia for another two years.

Jorgensen ended months of cross-code speculation by opting to continue chasing his Wallabies dream, and re-signing with the Waratahs and RA on Tuesday.

The contract will give the 19-year-old a chance to play against the British and Irish Lions next year, but in an intriguing twist, Jorgensen and RA settled on a deal that means he will come off contract again before the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

The 15-cap Waratah became the hottest property in Sydney footy over the past few months, with the Roosters and other NRL clubs expressing interest in the talented fullback.

Jorgensen said he’d met Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and Robinson to discuss his future, but contrary to reports he’d received a massive offer from the Roosters, he had not discussed a deal and never seriously contemplated making a switch to rugby league next year.

“The Roosters were interested but I didn’t really explore it too much,” Jorgensen said. “I have a good relationship with ‘Robbo’ so I did have a chat with him, I won’t deny that. But I said to him that my heart is in rugby union, I want to play union. So I never really explored it. I was just more talking to Rugby Australia.”

Max Jorgensen takes on the Drua defence in Fiji at the weekend.

Asked if there was a moment he’d made a choice between the codes, Jorgensen said: “I think I just always wanted to stay in union. There is a big three years coming up with the British and Irish Lions and the World Cup, and they are massive things you want to do in your career.

“I have a lot of things I want to do in union. I haven’t played for the Wallabies so that is a big goal of mine, and I want to obviously go well with the Tahs and hopefully make some finals there. They are the main things.

“It’s been a long time, over a month now, of contract negotiations so it is so good to finally get it done.”

If Jorgensen fulfils his vast potential, as many expect, the peace and quiet won’t last long on the contract front. Jorgensen said he “definitely” wants to play in the 2027 World Cup but the Roosters view him as a potential replacement for veteran fullback James Tedesco and will continue to keep an eye on him.

‘I said to him that my heart is in rugby union, I want to play union.’

Max Jorgensen on his chat with Trent Robinson

Jorgensen played representative rugby league as a Balmain junior, and was wooed by Robinson and Phil Gould while in year 12 at St Joseph’s College.

But the two-year deal will also allow Jorgensen, via on-field performance, to increase his contract value with cash-strapped Rugby Australia. The organisation expects to be in a much healthier financial state by 2027.

“It was just the best thing for my career at the moment to sign a two-year deal. There’s nothing major to it,” Jorgensen said. “It was just best to go with a two-year deal for now. We will see what happens.

“Obviously, the Roosters are an amazing club. They’re one of the best NRL clubs in Australia. I did a pre-season with the Chooks and really enjoyed my time there. I love Robbo as a coach. It was just more about all the stuff I still want to do in union.”

Jorgensen met Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.

Jorgensen emerged with a bang in Super Rugby last year and though he picked up an injury with the Waratahs, the teenager was selected by Eddie Jones in the Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup.

He was set for a Test debut in France but broke his ankle at training and came home. The so-close-yet-so-far experience was a factor in his decision to stay in rugby.

“There is a bit of unfinished business there – I want to keep ticking off those goals,” Jorgensen said.

“I want to win a Super Rugby final with the Waratahs, that’s a big goal. And obviously pull on a Wallabies jersey for the first time, that’s something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid.”

Jorgensen said he’d talked to Schmidt as he weighed up his future.

“I had a conversation with Joe. He seems like an awesome bloke and will be really good for the Wallabies and Rugby Australia, and I would love to hopefully work with him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lalakai Foketi has been named on the Waratahs bench after recovering from a scary neck injury at training that led to him being taken to hospital in an ambulance five weeks ago.

Will Harrison was also selected on the bench to meet the Rebels on Friday night after a long run of awful luck with knee injuries. It will be Harrison’s first game in Super Rugby for 707 days.

“They both received a big cheer in the team meeting when the team was announced,” Waratahs backs coach Chris Whitaker said.

“The boys saw Lalakai taken away in an ambulance, which was quite frightening for them, so they’re happy to see him back. He gives us a lot of experience in that back line and the boys love to play with him.”

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