Turns out all the hype was maybe underselling him a bit.
Max Jorgensen announced himself to the rugby world on Friday night, providing a major silver lining to an otherwise disappointing Waratahs homecoming at Allianz Stadium.
The 18-year-old winger ignited the Sydney crowd with two tries on his Super Rugby debut before the Brumbies crashed the party in a 31-25 win.
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Jorgensen reflects on ‘unreal’ debut
With famous footy father Peter watching on, Jorgensen’s maiden try was superb – somehow shrugging off the tackle attempts of two Wallabies forwards – Allan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini as well as Ryan Lonergan – to score.
”That is the arrival of a young superstar,” Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport.
“Remember the name, people,” added Sonny Bill Williams.
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He looked assured from the outset but admitted things were a little different inside.
“Pretty proud of myself, it’s unreal to put on the sky blue for the first time,” Jorgensen told Stan Sport.
“I’m not usually the nervous type of person but today I was pretty nervous.”
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Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said he was eating “humble pie” after the loss – but not because of his selection of Jorgensen.
“Everyone’s seen it, he’ll go onwards and upwards,” Coleman said.
“I’m disappointed with the loss more so at the moment, but I’m happy for Max, we always knew he was going to handle it. And a few things went his way today and he got over the line, so it was awesome, and he’ll have a good career.”
Lonergan catches NSW napping
Another rookie winger, Corey Toole of the Brumbies, was also outstanding.
He was a handful throughout with his sharp footwork and the former sevens star stepped inside big Nemani Nadolo to nab his maiden Super Rugby try.
“What an absolute superstar finisher he is,” Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport.
Sadly, it appeared Waratahs prop Angus Bell may have suffered a repeat of the foot injury that sidelined him for a long spell last season.
“There’s some serious concern,” Drew Mitchell said on Stan Sport.
“The body language tells a pretty grim story.”
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