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Max Jorgensen: 'I definitely knew I had the wheels... it was unreal'

Max Jorgensen of Australia celebrates scoring his team's fifth try during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Max Jorgensen could have felt a bit like the forgotten Wallabies’ prodigy after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii swanned across codes and into camp to be hailed as the golden boy.

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Not any more, though.

Finishing off a scintillating, last-gasp move that earned the Wallabies just a second win in the last 12 matches at England’s Twickenham fortress, Jorgensen chose the day when Suaalii lived up to all the hype to also remind everyone back home why all the fuss used to be about him.

His maiden score on Saturday was a beauty. The 20-year-old streaked down the left edge after a slick, lightning final attack to end a patient seven-phase build-up and, with the clock in the red, apply the final knife-thrust which he adorned with an extravagant swallow-dive finish.

Video Spacer

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

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The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

Why not? It sure did feel good.

Points Flow Chart

Australia win +5
Time in lead
43
Mins in lead
35
50%
% Of Game In Lead
41%
39%
Possession Last 10 min
61%
7
Points Last 10 min
14

“Oh, man, it’s amazing, it’s unbelievable … the best feeling in the world,” reckoned the flying Waratah, who was born in England while his Wallabies-capped dad Peter was playing for Northampton.

“The atmosphere was crazy – 85,000 people all singing, cheering bloody loud, so you can’t really hear the person inside of you talk. It was so cool to do that.

“Definitely a career highlight, but I’ve only started my career, so hopefully there’s many more like that.”

The try which sealed the epic 42-37 win came straight on the heels of England going 37-35 up in the 79th minute. Australia had one last chance; win the restart, which they effectively did with Suaalii badgering Maro Itoje into a knock-on, and then make one last attack count.

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“The talk was just, ‘boys, keep calm’, and they did well doing that, just building phases, and I got that ball in open space, had no one in front of me, and just gunned it to the line. I definitely knew I had the wheels … it was unreal,” said Jorgensen.

The reason the fuss had died down a bit about the gifted youngster was largely because of injury and illness woes.

His Test career, started with the contrasting matches against Argentina this year, was stalled after Jorgensen was hospitalised with a nasty bug.

Healthy and fit again, he’s thrilled to be part of a team with some youthful verve.

“It’s been unreal under Joe Schmidt. As you can see out there, we’re getting better week to week. He’s been amazing, loved him as our coach – and we can keep building. It’s going to be amazing next year,” he said.

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“(Suaalii) was amazing. You can just see how athletic is he off those kick-offs, and just his off-load game and running game, mate, he’s built for this game.”

And how he and his teammates are enjoying sticking it to the critics, especially English pundits who’d been suggesting the Lions shouldn’t even be bothering touring Australia next year as defeat for the hosts was a foregone conclusion.

“It’s been a huge motivation,” said Jorgensen. “There’s a couple of people out there who doubted us, and to go out there, get the win and prove them wrong was unreal.”

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Comments

3 Comments
J
JJB 2 days ago

It was an awesome game to watch, I’m so happy for the Wallabies, they are definitely going to be in contention against AB for the Bledisloe Cup in Perth next year.

S
SC 2 days ago

Its between NZ and Oz so they're in contention every year.

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JW 1 hour ago
Did the best of Ireland leave with Johnny Sexton and Stuart Lancaster?

Certainly got lucky, their strike rate in recruits is simply to high to be another else. How many failures can you count off the top of you head?


Theyre no longer playing that attack structure, so kinda irrelevant I feel. Sexton's metronomic tempo was perfect for that sort of football though. I really shouldn't say anything disparaging about his ability and influence on a northern style as he's probably a much closer footballer to the great Dan Carter than the modern NZ tens are. Still feel the game is better off in the NH now that players like Smith and Ntamack are able to lead the way with their performances.


I suggest not falling into that trap of replacing someone. They don't need a Sexton at 10, that guy and influence can come from anywhere in the team. Wallace Sititi for example has done so much to flip the debate on the NZ midfielders needing to have Nonu/Smith level distribution. They're trying to transition their game into a fast contest, ala their two victories against SA, but also losing out on that against SA and England (possible NZ too). Nienaber being seen as more beneficial to that outcome than Lancaster. I too think they're wrong though, it was a gift Faz got provided with but I haven't seen the Irish psyche want to recognize that. Some might say it's disrespectful to credit all of Irelands success on the back of a fortuitous style of play they discovered (were gifted, w/e) but I'll tell anyone that that's all New Zealands success is based off, and if a more natural organically grown pressuring style it's still something that is ingrained on everyones instincts just the same and can easily be lost of not appreciated.

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