Latest news with #MaxJorgensen
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Young gun Jorgensen ready and hungry to face Lions
After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing."
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Young gun Jorgensen ready and hungry to face Lions
After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing." After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing." After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing."
The Age
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘I was a bit scared': The moment Jorgensen thought Lions dream was over
At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Max Jorgensen was the baby of the Wallabies squad. But just as a Test debut against Portugal beckoned, the 19-year-old fractured his fibula in training after leaping for a high ball – a cruel blow that ended his tournament before it began. Devastated by the leg injury that had cruelled his tournament, Jorgensen returned home and threw himself into rehab. His diligence paid off when he finally debuted for the Wallabies last year against South Africa, before announcing himself in style with a match-winning try against England at Twickenham. After missing out on the Rugby World Cup, the Waratahs outside back has made no secret of wanting to be involved in the second-biggest event for an Australian rugby player – a British and Irish Lions tour. But on a wet night in Wellington in late March, it suddenly felt as if that dream would be snatched away from him, too, when Jorgensen was left clutching his ankle and punching the turf in anger after an awkward tackle. 'The two injuries felt very similar – that's why I was a bit scared when I did it,' Jorgensen said of his injury against the Hurricanes. 'It's such a big year with the Lions and you're just like, 'S---, what do I do now'? It was pretty devastating. What goes through your head is pretty full on. You just have that feeling you've done something bad.'
Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I was a bit scared': The moment Jorgensen thought Lions dream was over
At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Max Jorgensen was the baby of the Wallabies squad. But just as a Test debut against Portugal beckoned, the 19-year-old fractured his fibula in training after leaping for a high ball – a cruel blow that ended his tournament before it began. Devastated by the leg injury that had cruelled his tournament, Jorgensen returned home and threw himself into rehab. His diligence paid off when he finally debuted for the Wallabies last year against South Africa, before announcing himself in style with a match-winning try against England at Twickenham. After missing out on the Rugby World Cup, the Waratahs outside back has made no secret of wanting to be involved in the second-biggest event for an Australian rugby player – a British and Irish Lions tour. But on a wet night in Wellington in late March, it suddenly felt as if that dream would be snatched away from him, too, when Jorgensen was left clutching his ankle and punching the turf in anger after an awkward tackle. 'The two injuries felt very similar – that's why I was a bit scared when I did it,' Jorgensen said of his injury against the Hurricanes. 'It's such a big year with the Lions and you're just like, 'S---, what do I do now'? It was pretty devastating. What goes through your head is pretty full on. You just have that feeling you've done something bad.'
Telegraph
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Exeter complete signing of Australia centre Len Ikitau
Exeter Chiefs have completed the signing of Len Ikitau, Australia's star centre, in a major coup for both the Chiefs and the Premiership. Ikitau, who has 40 caps for the Wallabies, has been at the Canberra-based Brumbies since 2019 but will move to the South West on a big-money deal after this year's Lions tour and Rugby Championship, which finishes at the beginning of October. The 26-year-old, whose arrival in Exeter could end up as the signing of the Premiership season, has worn both the No 12 and No 13 jerseys for the Green and Gold and for the Brumbies in Super Rugby, and started at inside centre for Australia's thrilling 42-37 victory at Allianz Stadium last November. It was Ikitau's fend and offload which sent wing Max Jorgensen down the touchline to score the last-play winner against England last year and the Brisbane-born centre started the rest of the Wallabies' autumn internationals against Wales, Scotland and Ireland respectively. ⌚️ Australia's Max Jorgensen scores in the final moment to seal victory for Australia against England! 🇦🇺 In the 83rd minute! #breitling @Breitling #definingmoment — Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 9, 2024 Of Samoan descent, Ikitau made his Australia debut in 2021, coming off the bench in a 26-28 loss to France in Melbourne. An injury in July 2023 ruled him out of that year's World Cup but the centre has gone on to play a leading role for the Wallabies under head coach Joe Schmidt. But even though Ikitau will still be available for this summer's Lions tour, his departure comes as a blow for Rugby Australia, who are also recruiting Schmidt's successor for after the Rugby Championship. Exeter have been looking to add quality to their midfield ahead of next season. Joe Hawkins is returning to Cardiff at the end of the current campaign while Henry Slade, the England centre and a veteran at Sandy Park, has mainly featured at fly-half this season. Ikitau, a powerful, dynamic ball-carrier, will be joining compatriot and clubmate Tom Hooper in Exeter next season, the Australian flanker whose arrival at Sandy Park was announced by the Chiefs last month. Will Rigg has also been rumoured to be departing the South West.
