NSW Waratahs nominate teenage sensation Max Jorgensen for Super Rugby debut against ACT Brumbies

Max Jorgensen finished high school just last year – but NSW Waratahs manager Darren Coleman has no doubt the young player will rise to the occasion when he makes his Super Rugby debut on Friday night against ACT Brumbies.

The rising star, 18, comes from good lineage – his father is former Wallabies turned NRL star Peter Jorgensen, who scored 52 tries between 1995 and 2001 for the Roosters and then the Panthers and is fondly remembered for their trademark celebrations.

The baby-faced winger excelled in the boys’ GPS competition with St Joseph’s College at Hunters Hill due to his electric speed.

While lining up against men at a professional level is a very different proposition, Coleman is backing the youngster – who spurned an approach from the Sydney Roosters – to excel in his team’s season opener at Allianz Stadium.

“Max is a talented young player and we understand he will have his ups and downs, but we’re with him for the ride,” said Coleman.

Max’s father is former NRL star Peter Jorgensen, who was a cult hero when he was with the Panthers from 1997 to 2001

‘You will see how his confidence grows, the talent he has will shine through.’

It’s a view shared by Waratahs defensive coach Chris Whitaker, who labeled Jorgensen ‘quite forward’.

‘When he joined, I remember thinking it would be a huge step for him, for a schoolboy to be able to play Super Rugby,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“But from the first week you can see he’s a different fish. He is a quality player.

‘He has speed… and just his ability to find space and put other people in space.

‘He also has a good unloading game, seems to find himself in space and works a lot off the ball to get the ball in his hands. He’s definitely a lot more advanced than we thought he would be.’

Kickoff is at 7:35 pm.

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